Lee Anderson And Defamation

Tory MP Lee Anderson, who represents the “red wall” constituency of Ashfield, recently engaged the services of lawyers to pursue a claim for defamation, which was concluded to his apparent satisfaction, against Google Ireland for publishing an advert which made a totally untrue claim about him, and which will most certainly not be repeated here.

Lee Anderson MP

After that settlement, he told “I'm really glad Google decided to apologise and acknowledge its failings, but I'm an MP and that took many months and the involvement of specialist lawyers … My constituents and many others will not be in such a fortunate position, but they need to be protected”. Not everyone can call on the services of a lawyer.

Which brings us to the presence in and around the Westminster village of Steve Bray, a more or less full time campaigner. Bray was opposed to Brexit and remains opposed to Brexiteer Tories, engaging them in al fresco debate in the street. Some are courteous and engage with him in return; others do not. Some pass severely adverse comment.

In that last category is Lee Anderson, who is not the only Tory MP who responds to Bray by telling him that he should “get a job”. But Bray has a job: he is a self-employed campaigner. He completes his annual tax return; he does not, as far as is known, impose any burden on the public finances. Unlike, for instance, Lee Anderson MP.

The possibility that he may be standing in a seriously draughty glasshouse does not seem to have troubled Anderson, who has dispensed a series of insults in Bray’s general direction, concerning oral health and hygiene, the manner of his dress, as well as claims about his employment status. Worse, he has been caught on video assaulting Bray.

Evening all

And so to the latest exchange between Anderson and Bray, which was reported by Indy100, the article telling “Lee Anderson … got into a squabble with prominent campaigner Steve Bray after the latter approached him outside parliament and asked him if he would still be supporting ‘liar’ Boris Johnson … ‘At least I've got a job to lose, you haven't got one,’ Anderson said.” As already noted, this is not true.

But it can be argued that Anderson is merely passing opinion, which he is free to do. What is more problematic is what he said next. “You're nothing but a parasite. We've established that. You're a scrounger”. It’s been captured on video, and it’s been published. Moreover, whisper it quietly, it could be argued that the comments are not just opinion.

Worse, the Indy100 article also notes “Anderson … was also filmed calling Bray a parasite in July 2021 in a separate argument”. Less than 12 months ago. Calling a self-employed campaigner a “parasite” and a “scrounger”. Is that merely the dispensation of insults, or does it cross the line into defamation? Defamation that may be actionable?

Campaigners and protesters may cause irritation and occasional discomfort to Honourable and Right Honourable Members. But they are entitled to make their protests, and a party, like the Tories, which claims to champion freedom of speech should have no problem with it, and certainly not demonise protesters by making untrue claims about them.

Lee Anderson was clearly grateful for the services of the legal profession. He may not be so grateful if the boot were, for some reason, to be transferred to the other foot.

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