Liberal Democrat Paul Twigger counts the £6,400 cost of leaflet in defamation case
Politics can be an expensive business in many ways.
Politicians will tell of the dramatic effect it can have on their families, or careers put on hold.
Liverpool Liberal Democrat Paul Twigger is today counting the cost in a financial sense.
A long running defamation case with Green councillors Sarah Jennings and John Coyne has finally reached an end with Cllr Twigger agreeing to payout £6,400.
He will pay £100 a month to cover £6,000 of legal expenses racked up by the Greens and £400 in damages. At that rate it will take five years to pay off.
Or if he sells his home in Old Swan or remortgages it, any proceeds have to go towards paying off the bill.
He also has to issue an apology to no less than 5,000 households in the St Michaels ward of the city.
It has to read: "In February 2009 we published an article under the heading "Green Councillors Make Homeless Sleep in The Snow". We accept that this was inaccurately reported and factually incorrect. We regret any distress or embarrassment that the article caused to Councillors Sarah Jennings and John Coyne".
Read more on the story HERE.
St Michaels has been a key battleground between the Lib-Dems and the Greens in recent years.
It is quite a blow to Cllr Twigger, who is a key ally of Lib-Dem leader Warren Bradley.
Furthermore the apology has to be issued by April 15, just as the next round of electioneering kicks off in the city.
I wonder if we will get past the local elections without another election leaflet controversy?
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David Bartlett
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This sounds like pure Karma. Paul Twigger, he has not just negatively campaigned, he has lied and spread poisonous bile about candidates in ALL parties, that he has ran against for years now.
But I donât think its funny, whatâs happened to him, in fact I pity Cllr Twigger, he has been a tool for his leader for years now. Will Warren who is actually the puppet master be paying half this fine? I doubt it, he'll hang poor young Twigger out to dry like he's done in the past to other (we'll mention no names).
Twigger will lose in May, and its a real shame, his conduct here, the conduct of his party nationally and their leader in this city are to blame for that. However he does have talent, he just needs to grow up. The city needs effective opposition; he should be part of that. I hope he takes stock and comes back as the good politician that he knows he can be. Just as I hope the rest of his party does.
Paul I really hope you learn from this be brave, youâre not a bad person, have more respect for yourself, next time he tries to pull your strings JUST SAY NO!
Is this another case of one of warren bradleys 'friends' being the fall guy... Bet Cllr twiggles didn't even write it, or co-wrote it, but is having to take all the blame whilst bradley and others get off scot free!!!
Didn't this happen before...........?
When will the Lib Dems in this City get rid of that BULLY. Aveneging Angel and SM Alan are right. He uses the likes of Twigger and *cough* you know who, to do his dirty work!
They deserve so much better, I feel so sorry for them, the 'man' is on the edge and when he goes he'll drag the rest of them with him!
Give him the push NOW and save yourselves!
I wonder how the proposed changes to the law on libel will affect issues of this sort. The intention, as I understand it, is to make it easier to publish constructive criticism without the threat of a law suit (though there's also the economic motivation of reducing legal costs), but this case is hardly one of constructive criticism. Damages in this and similar cases have been reduced to what is a token gesture, the judgement being more a matter of principle. But would it be harder to bring a case like this to court with the proposed changes?
Changes to the law on defamation shouldn't affect the outcome of cases like this. Making false claims of this nature is not merely defamatory, it is also a breach of the 1983 Representation of the People Act. The ex-MP, Phil Woolas was struck down a few months back on similar grounds. Presumably the Greens won the relevant election, so invoking the RPA (if it applies to local elections) wouldn't get them far. A defamation case yields more certain remedy. There is some delightful payback here. The LibDems, notably David Alton backed by a well-known local solicitor, would frequently sue political opponents for defamation whenever faced with critical comments. Unable to afford the costs of a court case, most opponents were forced to settle 'out of court', bullied into bankruptcy in one case. None to my knowledge made claims as outrageous as Twigger's. He should count himself lucky to have been hit with so little. A settlement of £6400 was the going rate 25 years ago.
Given the utterely vile disgusting leaflet that Cllr Twigger put round Croxteth on the day of the recent by-election I think its safe to say not a single person will have any sympathy with him.
Reap and sow.
Paul is a consumate and hard working local councillor for Knotty Ash and a dedicated Liberal Democrat.
Ronnie and Labour friends are the absolute last people to make hay out of this, considering the disgusting personal attacks and un-truths in the "literature" they have produced. If those leaflets had been about me, I would not have hesitated to get a solicitor involved.
Ronnie, try posting under your real name next time and get some balls - hinding behind your alias, your ever so brave arn't you?
Paul is a consumate and hard working local councillor for Knotty Ash and a dedicated Liberal Democrat.
Ronnie and Labour friends are the absolute last people to make hay out of this, considering the disgusting personal attacks and un-truths in the "literature" they have produced. If those leaflets had been about me, I would not have hesitated to get a solicitor involved.
Ronnie, try posting under your real name next time and get some balls - hiding behind your alias, your ever so brave arn't you?
I don't think you'll make much headway with Ronnie, Gerard, if you continue to spell like a poorly-educated 7 year old. What's more, you're letting the side down. Buck up! It's consummate; and it's you're ever so brave, aren't you? Write these out 100 times, please, and you'll not make the same mistakes again. Otherwise you'll end up in the corner with a dunce's cap on.
goodness me, I did, didn't I! Gosh.
Well those two grammatical mistakes have me reeling. Shucks.
I noticed you haven't used your real name. I wonder why that could be. Shall we call this "Labour Courage"?
Why don't you and Ronnie declare yourselves here and now since you are quite critical of Paul and others. You are clearly very comfortable with what you publish under fake names, why not clear the air and make clear who you are, without fear of litigation. I'll check this post later (shall we say 6pm, 21/03/11) and see.
I know who Ronnie is.
Well...its 7.40pm and I guess that Labour Courage has held up.
Point proven.
Look- I'm called Gerard as well. Why doesn't the other Gerard publish under his full, name assuming that would mean anything to anyone. You can tell when somebody is rattled but has no counter argument. They resort to the "hiding behind blah blah blah"
I know Ronnie de Ramper. He's the person that writes free comments on here and is often entertaining,thoughtful and witty Sometimes I agree with him and sometimes I don't. But when I don't, I don't get in a little tizzy and demand his personal contact details, telephone number, shoe size or inside leg measurement.If Gerard wants to give theirs befor making the next comment, fine but it is of no interest.
No...I'm Gerard and so's my wife!
Hi, this is the real Ronnie, and I'd just like to apologise for posting under a name that isn't actually mine for fear of litigation. So, I continue with the usual round of Labour spite and nonsense that comes with my party in Liverpool, while continuing to critisise others for doing the same.
Best wishes,
Ronnie xxx
It's 'criticise', Gerard, criticise. How often do you need to be told? If you can't spell correctly, do stop writing here. It's just embarrassing. Now off to the dunce's corner with you.
Q: When is a Labour activist at there bravest?
A: When writing on the computer at home under an assumed name
Jesus wept, Gerard! There really is no helping you, is there? It's "their bravest", for pity's sake
Does anyone else get the impression the guy calling himself 'headteacher' was probably bullied at school? lol