Mary (Tess) Culnane, the BNP candidate in the by-election, took libel action against Mark Morris, the Lib Dem candidate, and Vijay Naidu, the Lib Dem agent.

The Lib Dem leaflet included an article highlighting the racist nature of the BNP. Nearly twelve months after the leaflet was published Tess Culnane claimed that the article had libelled her and she proceeded to take legal action.

The case went to a jury trial at the High Court last week and the jury concluded that the article was not libellous.

Mark Morris commented, "It was an ill-founded claim and I'm pleased the jury has vindicated us. The threat of legal action was hanging over us for two years and we are relieved it's now over."

Vijay Naidu added, "Being dragged through the courts was unpleasant and unnecessary. However, it will not deter Liberal Democrats around the country from standing up to the BNP and exposing the true nature of their organisation."

A summary of the case by the defendants' barristers has been posted on their website click here






16th November 2005

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