Cases

Al-Fagih v HH Saudi Research & Marketing

Held

(Mantell LJ dissenting) the publication had occurred in the course of what was undoubtedly a political dispute between the Claimant and M which was being conducted in the public arena. In those circumstances it was in the public interest for the Defendant's readership to know exactly what type of allegations were being made from time to time by one side of the dispute against the other. Provided that the Defendant did not, as it had not here, in any way suggested that it was adopting M's allegations as true, the defence of qualified privilege ought to be available to it, notwithstanding the absence of verification. (per Mantell LJ) the Judge had correctly applied the law and had reached a conclusion which was properly available to her on the evidence. There was no basis to interfere.

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