Graham Atkins, a partner at Atkins Thomson, acted for President Poroshenko of Ukraine in a libel action against the BBC over allegations that £300,000 was paid to extend talks between him and President Trump. The BBC accepted the claim was completely untrue, apologised and paid £50,000 damages plus legal costs.
What were the main issues in this case?
Foreign heads of state rarely take libel action in England, so it was not straightforward. We succeeded in a preliminary hearing on meaning — the judge ruled that the broadcast and article meant the president authorised or procured a corrupt payment through a back channel to President Trump. The allegation was obviously gravely damaging, not just here, but globally. Read more---->>>>
