Begg v British Broadcasting Corporation [2016] EWHC 2688 (QB) (28 October 2016)

Begg v British Broadcasting Corporation [2016] EWHC 2688 (QB) (28 October 2016)

The words complained of meant that the Claimant is an extremist Islamic speaker who espouses extremist Islamic positions and had recently promoted and encouraged religious violence by telling Muslims that violence in support of Islam would constitute a man's greatest deed. The BBC proved, on the balance of...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2016] EWHC 2688
Parties
Claimant: Shakeel Begg; Defendant: British Broadcasting Corporation
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
28 October 2016
Procedural Posture
Libel/defamation / High Court Trial, Judgment
Outcome
Claim dismissed
Legal Topics
Libel, Justification Defence, Freedom of Expression, Defamatory Meaning, Damages
Media Law Defamation Tort Libel Justification Defence Freedom of Expression Defamatory Meaning Damages

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Parties

Shakeel Begg

Claimant

British Broadcasting Corporation

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Libel/defamation / High Court Trial, Judgment

Legal Issues

  1. 1 What is the defamatory meaning of the words complained of?
  2. 2 Are the words complained of substantially true (justification)?
  3. 3 If not, what remedies are appropriate?

Ratio Decidendi

The words complained of meant that the Claimant is an extremist Islamic speaker who espouses extremist Islamic positions and had recently promoted and encouraged religious violence by telling Muslims that violence in support of Islam would constitute a man's greatest deed. The BBC proved, on the balance of probabilities, that this meaning was substantially true based on the Claimant's previous speeches and utterances. Therefore, the defence of justification succeeds and the claim is dismissed.

Court Disposition

Claim dismissed

Orders

  • Claim for libel is dismissed.
  • No damages awarded to the Claimant.