In message
<[log in to unmask]
.uk>, at 13:53:21 on Tue, 16 Jun 2009, [log in to unmask]
writes
>A woman who was labelled 'potentially violent' after she complained to
>Slough Borough council about a vandalised flower bed is suing the
>authority for libel.
>Telegraph p3
>
>I am not aware of the details of the case, but if an authority follows
>the guidelines, would that be enough to protect itself from this type
>of case
The guidelines seek to make sure any such marker is true.
There used to be a saying "the greater the truth, the greater the
libel", but nowadays "justification" is a defence. In other words "it is
true and we can prove it". (Which I see is indeed part of the council's
defence - something that's often advised against as it's deep hole to
fall into if you are found guilty).
I doubt that "we were only following the rules" is a defence.
--
Roland Perry
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