After a two-day trial, Sir James Dyson has lost his libel claim against the publisher of the Daily Mirror. The vacuum cleaning tycoon had claimed that the newspaper’s article, written by Brian Reade, was “a personal attack on all that I have done and achieved in my lifetime and is highly distressing and hurtful”. However, his claims were dismissed by Mr Justice Jay. MGM said the judgement upheld “the right of columnists” to share opinions, and added that Sir James could not demonstrate that he had suffered financial loss as a result of these publications.
The article in question referred to Sir James Dyson as “the vacuum-cleaner tycoon who championed Vote Leave due to the economic opportunities it would bring to British industry before moving his global head office to Singapore”. Brian Reade continued by writing, “Kids, talk the talk but then screw your country and if anyone complains, tell them to suck it up.”
Justin Rushbrooke KC, representing Sir James, argued that the articles, both in print and online, “constituted a serious and unjustified slur on Sir James’s reputation, business and personal.” However, Adrienne Page KC, for MGN, argued that the article was “honest opinion” and that Sir James could not dictate how the commentator posed them.
Sir James Dyson set up his company in Malmesbury, Wiltshire, in 1993 and has since opened bases in Hullavington Airfield in Wiltshire, as well as Bristol city centre. MGN welcomed the judgement, stating that it upheld the rights of its columnists to share their honestly held opinions, even about powerful or wealthy individuals.
The decision marks a significant defeat for Sir James Dyson, who had hoped to clear his name following the Daily Mirror’s publication of the article. However, the judgement has affirmed the right of columnists to express their opinions in print and online without fear of legal repercussions
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More