Allen v Times Newspapers Ltd

Allen v Times Newspapers Ltd

The Article bears the single 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 that made the implicated insulation boards, thereby placing himself in a situation of conflict of interest. This meaning is defamatory at common law.

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 on Meaning and Whether Defamatory at Common Law
Outcome
The Article bears a defamatory meaning at common law as found by the court; claimant's pleaded meanings rejected.
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 on 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 Are such meanings defamatory of the claimant at common law?

Ratio Decidendi

The Article bears the single 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 that made the implicated insulation boards, thereby placing himself in a situation of conflict of interest. This meaning is defamatory at common law.

Court Disposition

The Article bears a defamatory meaning at common law as found by the court; claimant's pleaded meanings rejected.

Orders

  • Claimant's pleaded meanings dismissed.
  • Court finds Article bears a defamatory meaning as specified in the judgment.