Vardy v Rooney [2022] EWHC 2017 (QB) (29 July 2022)

Vardy v Rooney [2022] EWHC 2017 (QB) (29 July 2022)

The defendant, Ms Rooney, proved on the balance of probabilities that the single meaning of her post—that Ms Vardy had regularly and frequently abused her status as a trusted follower of Ms Rooney’s personal Instagram account by secretly informing The Sun newspaper of Ms Rooney’s private posts and stories—was substantially true. The evidence, including WhatsApp messages, patterns of leaks, and the deliberate destruction of relevant evidence by Ms Vardy and her agent, supported the conclusion that Ms Vardy was responsible for the leaks. The public interest defence was not determinative given the finding on truth.

Citation
[2022] EWHC 2017
Parties
Claimant: Rebekah Vardy; Defendant: Coleen Rooney
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
29 July 2022
Procedural Posture
Libel Claim (defamation) / High Court Trial Judgment
Outcome
Claim dismissed
Legal Topics
Libel, Defamation Act 2013, Truth Defence, Public Interest Defence, Social Media Publications, Reputation Harm
Defamation Media Law Libel Defamation Act 2013 Truth Defence Public Interest Defence Social Media Publications Reputation Harm

Case Brief

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Parties

Rebekah Vardy

Claimant

Coleen Rooney

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Libel Claim (defamation) / High Court Trial Judgment

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the defendant's publication was defamatory of the claimant
  2. 2 Whether the defendant has established the statutory defence of truth under s.2 Defamation Act 2013
  3. 3 Whether the defendant has established the public interest defence under s.4 Defamation Act 2013

Ratio Decidendi

The defendant, Ms Rooney, proved on the balance of probabilities that the single meaning of her post—that Ms Vardy had regularly and frequently abused her status as a trusted follower of Ms Rooney’s personal Instagram account by secretly informing The Sun newspaper of Ms Rooney’s private posts and stories—was substantially true. The evidence, including WhatsApp messages, patterns of leaks, and the deliberate destruction of relevant evidence by Ms Vardy and her agent, supported the conclusion that Ms Vardy was responsible for the leaks. The public interest defence was not determinative given the finding on truth.

Court Disposition

Claim dismissed

Orders

  • The claim for libel is dismissed.
  • No damages awarded to the claimant.