MPs claim victory for free speech as Tory donor's libel case thrown out

A High Court judge has thrown out a long-running libel case against former Conservative MP Charlotte Leslie, with supporters hailing it as a victory for free speech.  

Mohamed Amersi, a long-time Tory donor, claimed he had been defamed by Leslie in an internal memo, which raised concerns about his alleged links with Russia.

But Justice Nicklin, one of the UK’s most senior media judges, said that Amersi had “failed to prove serious harm” had been inflicted on him by Leslie, and that he had “exhausted any claim he might have”. 

Nicklin argued that elements of Amersi’s case were “hopeless and devoid of reality”, and argued that witness statements were “not to be used for settling scores or some agenda”. 

He criticised Amersi for appearing to use “legal privilege for retaliation”, adding that allowing the case to continue would be a “massive waste of court resources”.

Nicklin concluded: “No purpose would be served by giving (Amersi) a further opportunity to re-plead his claim and it would not serve his overriding objective to do so. As a result this claim is at an end.”

Leslie said: “This is a good day for freedom of speech. This judgement speaks for itself. I am delighted to have this vindication after two and a half years of legal action against me.”

Amersi said he was “bitterly disappointed”, arguing he had “been denied justice”. Nicklin had provided “effective immunity to those who publish serious falsehoods to small but influential groups of people”, Amersi added. 

However that was not the view of MPs on both sides of the political divide.

Speaking in the Commons Conservative MP David Davis said it was “a great victory for free speech”. He has described the case as a Slapp (strategic litigation against public participation), which is used to silence public criticism.

Labour MP Liam Byrne, who has also previously spoken out about Slapps cases including Leslie’s, told Tortoise it was a “triumph”. 

He added: “It’s a tragedy that Charlotte Leslie was dragged through the courts like this – and fresh evidence that every day the government fails to advance a law that bans Slapps is a day when the rich and powerful can try to silence stories they don’t like the threat of giant legal bills.”

Photograph Martin Godwin/ Guardian/ eyevine