Katie Hopkins has been found liable for defamation and ordered to pay £24,000 in damages (plus costs) after making some rather unfortunate statements about fellow journalist Ms Jack Monroe.
The issue dates back to 2015 when, following a protest in London a war memorial was vandalised. Confusing the claimant, Ms Jack Monroe (a food journalist and left wing blogger) with another journalist who had openly stated that she did not have a problem with the vandelism.
For reasons best known to herself, Ms Hopkins tweeted the picture of the vandalism to Ms Monroe with comments which led the Court to conclude that a reasonable reader would have concluded that she was suggesting that Ms Monroe “condoned and approved of scrawling on war memorials”.
Despite requests from Ms Monroe and her solicitors, Ms Hopkins failed to offer any apology or pay the suggested sum of £5,000. She had removed the offensive tweet two hours after posting it but then posted another which in which she described Ms Monroe as “social anthrax” which was hardly a conciliatory step.
Uncharacteristically, Ms Hopkins kept her mouth closed in court, declining to offer any evidence. This did not help her case as, in the absence of any evidence to rebut the allegation of malice in relation to the second tweet, the Court had no choice but to accept this argument.
The Judge found that that the tweets in question were defamatory and that they caused serious harm to Ms Monroe’s reputation and ordered Hopkins to pay £24,000 compensation plus costs which are reported to be in the region of £300,000.
The moral here is that, what ever social media you use, be careful what you write. If you do stray into making defamatory comments, the best course of action is to limit the harm that is done by removing the offensive material and, if necessary, apologise quickly. One of the key elements for the claimant in a defamation claim is that they have or are likely to suffer serious harm. If you can limit the likelihood of harm being suffered, you reduce the risk of a court claim.
More Articles
The legal system is broken: Why are fees increasing but service and support decreasing?
Could mediation be your ticket to a hassle-free divorce?
Advice from a family solicitor in Amersham
ANDY GREEN V BETFRED – COVERAGE BY THE DAILY MAIL, THE SUN, THE MIRROR, THE DAILY STAR, AND THE DAILY RECORD
Emphatic Success for Coyle White Devine's Private Crime Team
'eBay-style' online courts could resolve smaller claims
Customer Takes Betfred to High Court After Being Denied £1.7m Prize
Double the Success for the Private Crime Team as CPS Squeezed into Discontinuing
Another success for the CWD Criminal Department
How to avoid making a dogs dinner of choosing a company name
How the written word could help your business
Need help with child custody? How our solicitors at Coyle White Devine can help you
Success for the CWD Criminal Department!
Corporate Insolvency - Ensuring the Appointment of Administrators is Valid
Family solicitor attributes and what to look for
Helping you find the light at the end of the tunnel thanks to our family solicitors in Amersham
CWD's Peter Coyle's appearances on BBC Radio 4 and BBC Radio Wales
Guiding you towards an amicable solution with a trustworthy family solicitors in Amersham
CWD Company Update
Single dad refused £1.7 million Betfred payout over 'glitch' takes bookies to court
Coyle White Devine defeat Betfred in High Court Battle
Looking for family solicitors Amersham?
Need help with a postnuptial dispute? Coyle White Devine family solicitors can help
Finding a Family Solicitor in Amersham who is right for you
Case of Betfred refusing £1.7m payment to customer going to summary judgment in October
Resolve your financial disputes professionally through reliable family solicitors in Amersham
Peter Coyle - Times Lawyer of the Week
How family solicitors in Amersham can help with the issue of children during divorce
The legal side to ending a relationship when you cohabitate
Continuing success for the CWD Criminal Department!
Ways in which family solicitors in Amersham can assist with your divorce case
Private Crime Team's Hard Work Pays Off Again
Sports law in the UK: A brief guide to the regulations that govern football
Are you going through a messy divorce? Let us help you through the worst of it
Guiding you through troubled waters thanks to our expert family solicitors in Amersham
VW emissions scandal widens to include Porsche claims
Tips on how to keep your divorce civil and non-confrontational
A family solicitor in Amersham can advise on other ways to separate
CWD Law secures £1m+ win after 3-year battle with Paddy Power
Private Crime Team Success Continues in 2016
Take the best way forward with family solicitors in Amersham you can trust
How do you get divorced?
Reach an amicable divorce using family solicitors Amersham
The UK construction industry, insolvency, and the Labour Manifesto
Blackjack gambler who won £1.7m with Betfred but never received a penny after firm blamed software glitch could be days away from getting his winnings at High Court
Missed out on a prenuptial agreement? Coyle White Devine’s guide to postnuptial agreements
Does a family solicitor in Amersham understand my pain?
What does a family solicitor in Amersham do?
What should I expect from Family Solicitors in Amersham?
Licence and Liberty Saved
Legal aid abolishment
The legal advantages of getting a prenuptial agreement at Coyle White Devine
Why do I need a family solicitor in Amersham?
Divorce proceedings with a family solicitor in Amersham
Betfred customer denied £1.7million prize due to 'glitch' takes case to court
Announcement from Peter Coyle
Keeping your head above water thanks to our quality family solicitors in Amersham
Relieving financial pressure through an expert family solicitors in Amersham
Putting the fun into fundraising in 2016
$2.2 Million Customer Dispute With Betfred Going to Summary Judgment
CWD Client Wins £1 Million Battle Against Paddy Power
Another outstanding testimonial for the criminal department
Betfred gambler in High Court battle over £1.7m payout he never received
Gambler's luck runs out
What according to an Amersham family solicitor are the most common reasons for family breakups?
Questions you should ask a family solicitor before hiring them
And they’re off! Betfred sued by £1.7m ‘winner’
How family solicitors in Amersham can help you
ANDY GREEN V BETFRED – Peter Coyle’s Interview with The Gambling Insider
Dos and don’ts of pre-nuptial agreements as suggested by our Amersham Family Solicitors
DAVID V GOLIATH – CWD helps Lincolnshire man take on the might of Betfred
Family solicitors in Amersham - helping family disputes
Announcing our new Private Crime Department
Recent Developments in Employment Law
CWD Crime Team - Health and Safety Executive Interviews
Divorces and financial settlements How Coyle White Devine can help you with negotiations and resolution
What does family law entail?
ANDY GREEN v BETFRED – more media coverage
Straightforward support by your family solicitors in Amersham
ANDY GREEN V BETFRED- THE MEDIA COVERAGE CONTINUES WITH THE TIMES
ANDY GREEN V BETFRED (DAVID VS GOLAITH) – MORE MEDIA COVERAGE FROM THE BBC
How does a family solicitor in Amersham support my family during a divorce?
How family solicitors in Amersham can help you to protect your assets
Court of Appeal Rubs Salt in Stratstone's Wounds
Have you been a victim of domestic abuse? Ways to find the best solicitor to represent you
Looking for a reliable solicitor firm in Amersham? Reasons to choose Coyle White Devine
Social media platforms, free speech, and UK law: Who is accountable?
Questions you should ask yourself when getting divorced