Chapter 4 The Politics of Wrath. Lavery v Thompson continues

Lavery versus Thompson – Continued

In July 2002 I had to attend a hearing in the Royal Courts of Justice in London. At the end of a 7 day hearing a jury of 12 people found in my favour and the Judge ruled that Lavery should pay my legal costs. Lavery had to pay £90,500.00. (The first payment was £35,000.00 followed by three payments of £18,500.00). I did not press for damages.

This hearing followed my earlier appearance at the Royal Courts of Justice when I was exonerated by a Master in Chambers. I thought that would be an end to the allegation of Libel. My optimism evaporated when Lavery’s appeal was upheld. I had to return to the Royal Courts of Justice in July 2002 for a full hearing.

Having to return to The Royal Courts of Justice for a full hearing was a matter for serious concern. Libel is not for the faint hearted and is usually confined to people who are famous and wealthy, in some cases very wealthy.

I was aware that other people had been threatened with Libel by senior Labour Party/NUM officials in Wansbeck. To avoid the threat the accused had to send a letter of apology together with a payment of thousands of pounds. I was never prepared to be frightened into doing that.

Realising that I did not have the legal skills required to match the legal team and advisers that Lavery employed, I found appropriate legal help.

On the morning of the hearing Lavery’s Barrister, a Mr. Bate, approached me just as I was about to enter the courtroom. He said: “We are prepared to settle for £50,000.00”. Although I knew what he meant I told him that I would be happy to accept £50,000.00 from Lavery. Mr Bate was aghast and explained that it was me who should make the payment to stop the hearing. I declined the offer.

The hearing lasted seven days. Sitting with Lavery was Bob Stephenson the Wansbeck Council Chief Executive together with the Chairman of the Council, Cllr Jim Tyler and Cllr Peter Moran. Also summoned to provide evidence was Ian Leech, a journalist who was used by Wansbeck District Council as their Public Relations advocate. (Mr leech would not attend the Royal Courts of Justice in London, so, he gave evidence via a video link).

The Council’s Solicitor was in the courtroom at the insistence of the Chief Executive, Bob Stephenson despite his insistence that he wanted no part in the process. He, the Solicitor, left the Council with a redundancy package shortly afterwards.

As stated, £90,500 was handed over on behalf of Mr Lavery to pay for my costs. There was no information on the costs incurred by Lavery for his legal support and the travel and hotel accommodation of his witnesses. Six months after the hearing Lavery announced his resignation as a Councillor