Bond v British Broadcasting Corporation [2009] EWHC 539 (QB) (19 March 2009)

Bond v British Broadcasting Corporation [2009] EWHC 539 (QB) (19 March 2009)

The natural and ordinary meaning of the words complained of in the BBC Panorama programme and related publications is that there are strong grounds to suspect the Claimant of having accepted 'bungs' or other corrupt payments from football agents, but not a positive assertion of guilt.

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2009] EWHC 539
Parties
Claimant: Kevin Bond; Defendant: British Broadcasting Corporation
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
19 March 2009
Procedural Posture
Libel Action / Ruling on Defamatory Meaning
Outcome
Court finds the publications convey strong grounds to suspect the Claimant of accepting corrupt payments, not a positive assertion of guilt.
Legal Topics
Defamatory Meaning, Television Broadcast, Reasonable Grounds to Suspect, Chase Level Two Meaning
Defamation Media Law Defamatory Meaning Television Broadcast Reasonable Grounds to Suspect Chase Level Two Meaning

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Summary, issues, holding and outcome

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Parties

Kevin Bond

Claimant

British Broadcasting Corporation

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Libel Action / Ruling on Defamatory Meaning

Legal Issues

  1. 1 What is the natural and ordinary meaning of the words complained of in the BBC Panorama programme and related publications?
  2. 2 Does the programme impute guilt or reasonable grounds to suspect the Claimant of accepting corrupt payments ('bungs')?
  3. 3 Does the context and overall message of the programme affect the interpretation of the Claimant's conduct?

Ratio Decidendi

The natural and ordinary meaning of the words complained of in the BBC Panorama programme and related publications is that there are strong grounds to suspect the Claimant of having accepted 'bungs' or other corrupt payments from football agents, but not a positive assertion of guilt.

Court Disposition

Court finds the publications convey strong grounds to suspect the Claimant of accepting corrupt payments, not a positive assertion of guilt.

Orders

  • Court to address further submissions from counsel regarding consequences for statements of case and trial preparation.