Allen v Times Newspapers Ltd [2019] EWHC 1235 (QB) (15 May 2019)

Allen v Times Newspapers Ltd [2019] EWHC 1235 (QB) (15 May 2019)

The Article bears the meaning that the claimant misconducted himself by remaining on the Building Regulations Advisory Committee when it discussed the Grenfell Tower fire, despite being a senior executive of the company whose product was under suspicion for the fire, thereby placing himself in a situation of conflict of interest. This meaning is defamatory at common law.

Citation
[2019] EWHC 1235 (QB)
Parties
Claimant: Mark Anthony Allen; Defendant: Times Newspapers Limited
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
15 May 2019
Procedural Posture
Libel Action / Trial of Preliminary Issues: Determination of Meaning and Whether Defamatory at Common Law
Outcome
Claimant's pleaded meanings rejected; court finds Article bears a defamatory meaning within the same class as pleaded.
Legal Topics
Libel, Natural and Ordinary Meaning, Conflict of Interest, Threshold of Seriousness
Defamation Media Law Libel Natural and Ordinary Meaning Conflict of Interest Threshold of Seriousness

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Parties

Mark Anthony Allen

Claimant

Times Newspapers Limited

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Libel Action / Trial of Preliminary Issues: Determination of Meaning and Whether Defamatory at Common Law

Legal Issues

  1. 1 What is the natural and ordinary meaning of the words complained of in the Article?
  2. 2 Is such meaning defamatory of the claimant at common law?

Ratio Decidendi

The Article bears the meaning that the claimant misconducted himself by remaining on the Building Regulations Advisory Committee when it discussed the Grenfell Tower fire, despite being a senior executive of the company whose product was under suspicion for the fire, thereby placing himself in a situation of conflict of interest. This meaning is defamatory at common law.

Court Disposition

Claimant's pleaded meanings rejected; court finds Article bears a defamatory meaning within the same class as pleaded.

Orders

  • Claimant may seek to amend pleadings to reflect the court's finding on meaning.
  • If no amendment is sought, claim fails on pleaded meanings.