Katie Hopkins

Thanks for the explanations, all. I still find even this horrendously complicated. :)

#bearofsimplebrain

Yes, sorry, not sure what happened to that:
https://twitter.com/Law_and_policy/status/840218405466714112

The pertinent point here being that this case does set a low bar for sueing about tweets, and that's not good.

That's also from David Allen Green who I'd agree is authoritative - he's a law and policy commentator at the FT.

it's libel. suing for libel is nothing new. the fact it was on twitter is neither here nor there.

Well that's true, technically. But the effect of existing laws such as libel on social media is still being established. Implementing laws which were created well before the social media age is challenging all round.

gotta start somewhere. and if this a) makes grubby, overexposed shitwits like hopkins think twice before spewing their lies and b) costs them a shitting fortune when they do...

If it sets such a bad precedent (which I don't believe it does) then Hopkins could have prevented it by apologising as soon as she realised her mistake. But she didn't and she fought on and on.

My thoughts exactly

She wrote: “Dear @KTHopkins, public apology + £5K to migrant rescue and I won’t sue. It’ll be cheaper for you and v satisfying for me.”

In the judicial judgement, Mr Justice Warby noted: “The case could easily have been resolved at an early stage. There was an open offer to settle for £5,000. It was a reasonable offer.”

Instead, he said: “Ms Monroe is entitled to fair and reasonable compensation, which I assess at £24,000.”

this is the bit I was most impressed by.
Well done Jack Monroe

Jack's amazing - her story, her attitude, her sense of justice and her brilliant food blog born out of genuine poverty. Bravo Jack!

Hey, a libel case I'm actually on board with! That's a first.

Well, you do have to realise that Hopkins still hasn't apologised. There's a certain, erm, 'class' of people to whom that's important.

Good for Jack.

On the basis that her supporters bang on about this being a Christian country and Christian values, could I just point out that her meme is blasphemous.

True. She was never going to do that of course, it would destroy her whole personal brand. Especially the £5k going to a migrant charity.

To clarify I do think the ruling was spot on and obviously the verdict gives me an enormous amount of personal satisfaction. But I suspect if it's little Mrs Miggins in her cake shop who has published two libellous tweets about a nasty nasty person people would feel differently. But if you're a nasty nasty person then showing serious harm to your reputation is harder so we must just trust in the law I suppose...

Is that @spotter ?!

No glasses and we can't see if his trousers are too short.

But Mrs Miggins probably only has 200 followers and almost certainly would apologise as soon as she noticed her error.

Let's not forget the case of the now dead Tory grandee who rumours suggested was implicated in the Dolphin Square child abuse scandal (which may or may not have been an actual scandal and he was certainly not involved). Sally Bercow tweeted the allegation and many of her followers retweeted. The now dead Tory grandee had solicitors' letters sent to all with more than 1000 (I think it was) followers, demanding a retraction, apology and £1000.

He also sued Sally Bercow.

He's wearing his contacts

awaits katie hopkins just giving page
plenty of right wing nuts will contribute no doubt

comic sans font=no blasphemy

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/justiceforkatiehopkins?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=fundraisingpage&utm_content=justiceforkatiehopkins&utm_campaign=pfp-share

one can but hope...

1 Attachment

#dontreadthecomments

The best bit:

"We're actually going to give the money to The Trussell Trust - a FANTASTIC cause who help to provide foodbanks all over the UK. Because irony ... REMEMBER TO GIFT AID!!!!

This initiative is 100% the work of Southend News Network, with all funds being donated to The Trussell Trust through the JustGiving platform.

We are doing everything that we can to help after the lovely Katie fell for one of our SPOOF stories about the M25 being closed for a whole week so that people could have a 'fitness and endurance' race around it. Find out more once you have donated at http://bit.ly/2nqcDV6"