Naseem Shah MP v Muhammad Ashraf Chohan

Naseem Shah MP v Muhammad Ashraf Chohan

The Tweet was a comment that the claimant's support of Black Lives Matter means she supports vandalism, as depicted in the video; this meaning is defamatory at common law, is not a statement of fact, and the basis of the opinion is sufficiently stated.

Parties
Claimant: Naseem Shah MP; Defendant: Muhammad Ashraf Chohan
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
28 April 2022
Procedural Posture
Libel / Preliminary Trial on Meaning
Outcome
The Tweet is defamatory at common law, is an expression of opinion, and the basis of the opinion is sufficiently indicated.
Legal Topics
Libel, Social Media, Defamatory Meaning, Expression of Opinion, Common Knowledge
Defamation Media Law Libel Social Media Defamatory Meaning Expression of Opinion Common Knowledge

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Parties

Naseem Shah MP

Claimant

Muhammad Ashraf Chohan

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Libel / Preliminary Trial on Meaning

Legal Issues

  1. 1 What is the natural and ordinary meaning of the Tweet?
  2. 2 Is the meaning defamatory at common law?
  3. 3 Is the Tweet a statement of fact or an expression of opinion?

Ratio Decidendi

The Tweet was a comment that the claimant's support of Black Lives Matter means she supports vandalism, as depicted in the video; this meaning is defamatory at common law, is not a statement of fact, and the basis of the opinion is sufficiently stated.

Court Disposition

The Tweet is defamatory at common law, is an expression of opinion, and the basis of the opinion is sufficiently indicated.