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 BBC's programme, transcript, press release, and follow-up programme is that there are strong grounds to suspect Kevin Bond of having accepted 'bungs' or other corrupt payments from football agents; the publications do not go so far as to assert guilt but arouse a strong...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2009] EWHC 539 (QB)
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 that the publications convey strong grounds to suspect the Claimant of corrupt conduct (Chase Level Two meaning).
Legal Topics
Defamatory Meaning, Libel, Media Publications, Reasonable Grounds to Suspect
Defamation Media Law Defamatory Meaning Libel Media Publications Reasonable Grounds to Suspect

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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's publications regarding Kevin Bond?
  2. 2 Do the publications convey that Kevin Bond accepted corrupt payments in the past or only expressed interest in prospective payments?
  3. 3 Do the publications give rise to reasonable grounds to suspect Kevin Bond of corrupt conduct?

Ratio Decidendi

The natural and ordinary meaning of the BBC's programme, transcript, press release, and follow-up programme is that there are strong grounds to suspect Kevin Bond of having accepted 'bungs' or other corrupt payments from football agents; the publications do not go so far as to assert guilt but arouse a strong suspicion of involvement.

Court Disposition

Court finds that the publications convey strong grounds to suspect the Claimant of corrupt conduct (Chase Level Two meaning).

Orders

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