Cases

US Tobacco v BBC

Facts

The Claimant manufactured snuff and chewing tobacco. The BBC programme That's Life criticised the Claimant for marketing the product to children, in breach of an agreement with the Department of Health, and alleged that the product caused oral cancer. The Claimant sued for libel, complaining of the former allegation ('the breach allegation') and not the latter ('the health allegation'). The BBC sought to justify both allegations. The Claimant applied to strike out the latter part of the plea, saying the two stings were separate and distinct. It also made some limited admissions as to the health allegation, which it said would take months to try, with extensive expert evidence required. The master granted the Claimant's application and the judge dismissed an appeal. The BBC appealed to the Court of Appeal.

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