Cases

Miller v Associated Newspapers Limited

Facts

C, a friend of Sir Ian Blair sued D, the publisher of the Daily Mail, over an article published in the newspaper and online entitled "Met Boss in new 'Cash for a friend' storm". C complained that the article would be understood to bear two defamatory meanings: that he had corruptly exploited his friendship with Sir Ian Blair to obtain an improper payment of a five-figure sum from public funds; and that he had, on behalf of his company, agreed to act as Sir Ian Blair's image consultant under a 'vanity contract' knowing that his company had no relevant knowledge or experience, thus improperly obtaining payment for work that his company was not competent to carry out.

D issued an application for a ruling as to whether the words complained of were capable of bearing either or both of those meanings, or any meaning capable of being defamatory of C.

Also