Corbyn v Millett

Corbyn v Millett

The judge was entitled to find that the words used by Mr Corbyn were statements of fact, not opinion, and that the imputations were defamatory at common law, crossing the threshold of seriousness. The appeal is dismissed.

Parties
Appellant/defendant: The Rt Hon Jeremy Corbyn MP; Respondent/claimant: Richard Millett
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
20 April 2021
Procedural Posture
Civil Appeal (libel) / Appeal From High Court Decision on Preliminary Issues
Outcome
appeal dismissed
Legal Topics
Libel, Honest Opinion Defence, Defamatory Meaning, Fact Vs Opinion, Threshold of Seriousness

Case Brief

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Parties

The Rt Hon Jeremy Corbyn MP

Appellant/defendant

Richard Millett

Respondent/claimant

Procedural Posture

Civil Appeal (libel) / Appeal From High Court Decision on Preliminary Issues

  1. 1 Whether the statement was one of fact or opinion under section 3 of the Defamation Act 2013
  2. 2 Whether the statement was defamatory at common law

Ratio Decidendi

The judge was entitled to find that the words used by Mr Corbyn were statements of fact, not opinion, and that the imputations were defamatory at common law, crossing the threshold of seriousness. The appeal is dismissed.

Court Disposition

appeal dismissed

Orders

  • Appeal dismissed; High Court's findings on preliminary issues stand.