The trial of Mohamed Amersi’s libel claim against the BBC begins today before Mrs Justice Tipples. It is scheduled to last approximately six weeks.
Mr Amersi’s claim concerns an episode of Panorama and an article on the BBC website first published on 4 October 2021. The publications’ natural and ordinary meaning was determined by HHJ Lewis in April 2024, namely that there are strong grounds for suspecting that, during his work for Telia (a Swedish telecommunications company), Mr Amersi had been involved in deals on its behalf which he knew or should have known were corrupt, or involved corrupt payments.
Mr Amersi is seeking damages of up to £100,000, an injunction, and an order under s.12, Defamation Act 2013. The BBC is relying on the defences of truth and publication on matter of public interest under ss.2 and 4 of the 2013 Act.
5RB’s Jonathan Scherbel-Ball and Luke Browne act for the BBC, with Catherine Jung, led by Sonia Tolaney KC and Catrin Evans KC and instructed by Bristows LLP.
