Court of Appeal overturns finding that Times article was protected by Reynolds privilege
The Court of Appeal has overturned the finding made by Mr Justice Tugendhat that a report published by The Times about an investigation into a Detective Sergeant Flood was protected by Reynolds privilege. Tugendhat J’s judgment was given at the conclusion of a trial which took place in July 2009.
This is believed to be the first occasion on which a finding of Reynolds privilege has been overturned on appeal.
The Master of the Rolls, Lord Justice Moore-Bick and Lord Justice Moses each delivered concurring judgments in Mr Flood’s favour.
For further information and a copy of the judgment, please see the full 5RB case report.
5RB’s James Price QC and William Bennett (instructed by Edwin Coe LLP) acted for Mr Flood.
Links
- Opinion: Gary Flood v Times Newspapers – Inforrm (William Bennett)
- Libel ruling against the Times ‘is blow to investigative journalism’ – Guardian
- Times loses out in police corruption story libel appeal – Press Gazette