Haji-Ioannou v Telegraph Media Group Ltd & Anor [2020] EWHC 2922 (QB) (02 November 2020)

Haji-Ioannou v Telegraph Media Group Ltd & Anor [2020] EWHC 2922 (QB) (02 November 2020)

The article, in its natural and ordinary meaning, was an expression of the columnist's opinion satirising the claimant's rhetoric and was not defamatory at common law, as it would not substantially affect the attitude of others towards the claimant.

Citation
[2020] EWHC 2922 (QB)
Parties
Claimant: Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou; Defendant: Telegraph Media Group Limited; Defendant: Ben Marlow
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
02 November 2020
Procedural Posture
Libel and Data Protection Action / Preliminary Issues Trial on Meaning, Defamatory Nature, and Fact/opinion
Outcome
Claim dismissed
Legal Topics
Libel, Natural and Ordinary Meaning, Defamatory Statements, Fact Vs Opinion, Satire in Journalism
Defamation Media Law Data Protection Libel Natural and Ordinary Meaning Defamatory Statements Fact Vs Opinion Satire in Journalism

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Parties

Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou

Claimant

Telegraph Media Group Limited

Defendant

Ben Marlow

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Libel and Data Protection Action / Preliminary Issues Trial on Meaning, Defamatory Nature, and Fact/opinion

Legal Issues

  1. 1 What is the natural and ordinary meaning of the words complained of?
  2. 2 Are the words defamatory at common law?
  3. 3 Are the words statements of fact or opinion?

Ratio Decidendi

The article, in its natural and ordinary meaning, was an expression of the columnist's opinion satirising the claimant's rhetoric and was not defamatory at common law, as it would not substantially affect the attitude of others towards the claimant.

Court Disposition

Claim dismissed