UPDATE 07/09 12:00 The Craig Murray defence fund has just sailed serenely past £50,000 in electronic donations in almost precisely 24 hours, even before any of the cheques have arrived. It is a perfect illustration of the grossly disproportionate threat to freedom of speech that is the English libel system, that this is not sufficient and we have to persevere with the appeal.
2,080 people have donated an average of £24. The largest single donation is £4,000. There are also hundreds of £3 and £5 donations which do really add up. I am absolutely stunned by the outpouring of kindness I have experienced – though in fairness I should mention the significant minority who say they are motivated by despisal of the Daily Mail.
ORIGINAL POST
I am being sued for libel in the High Court in England by Jake Wallis Simons, Associate Editor of the Daily Mail Online. Mr Wallis Simons is demanding £40,000 in damages and the High Court has approved over £100,000 in costs for Mark Lewis, Mr Wallis Simons’ lawyer. I may become liable for all of this should I lose the case, and furthermore I have no money to pay for my defence. I am currently a defendant in person. This case has the potential to bankrupt me and blight the lives of my wife and children. I have specifically been threatened by Mr Lewis with bankruptcy.
Mr Wallis Simons boasts on his website:
In 2015, I published a series of articles exposing Jeremy Corbyn’s links with anti-Semitic figures, and this led to what is now known as the “Labour anti-Semitism scandal.”
It was my Sky TV appearance on this subject which led to this libel action against me.
It is my view that English libel law remains an international disgrace, a device by which the wealthy and those with wealthy backers, and only they, can stifle freedom of speech. Contempt of Court laws – with a penalty of two years imprisonment – even prevent poor defendants like me from putting their case openly before the public in order to appeal for a public defence fund. I am extremely limited in what I can tell you.
How can it cost just one party six times the average annual national wage to litigate a five minute TV broadcast? The libel system, with its in-built advantage to the wealthy and those backed by the wealthy, is a complete disgrace. Andy Wightman, the brilliant Scottish land reform campaigner, has been going through the same Hell.
I find I am obliged to beg you for funds to help me defend the case. I need to ask every single person who reads this blog to find it in their heart to make at least some contribution, as much as you can afford. The scale of this thing is such that I need to ask those of you who are comfortably off to make a far larger donation than you might normally consider. In practice we are going to need to include some four figure donations to make the ludicrous amounts required. But every single penny mounts up and please do give something.
If you have ever enjoyed this blog – join the fight. If you dislike this blog but support freedom of speech – join the fight. If you support the right to defend Palestine without being labelled ant-Semitic – join the fight. If you despised the anti-Corbyn media campaign – join the fight. If the Daily Mail sickens you – join the fight.
Every donation, no matter how small, will be gratefully received. The case will be heard in the High Court on 7 November. In the event of victory, after costs are met (even a costs award does not cover all actual costs) excess donations will be returned pro-rata unless you specify they should be applied to the future of maintaining the blog.
This is a question not only of the continued existence of this blog, but of the future well-being of my young family. It is unfair on you for me to place all of that in your hands, but that is the situation into which I am forced.
UPDATE 06/09 20:00 In just 8 hours we have received £21,790 in donations to the fighting fund. This is a fantastic start. 836 individuals have donated, making the average donation £26. The largest donation received is £1,000 and the smallest are £3. I am incredibly humbled and grateful that we are starting to have a chance. There have been so many kind messages, of which “you cast a lot of bread upon the waters helping others, Craig” made me greet for a bit. I have particularly enjoyed those from people who declare they agree with almost nothing I say but support free speech! About 60% of donations are from Scotland, but so far we have 22 different countries.
I really cannot express my gratitude enough.
On a practical point, a number of people have said they are not members of Paypal so could not donate. After clicking on “Donate”, just below and left of the “Log In” button is a small “continue” link which enables you to pay by card without logging in. For those who prefer not to pay online, you can send a cheque made out to me to Craig Murray, 89/14 Holyrood Road, Edinburgh, EH8 8BA. As regular readers know, it is a matter of pride to me that I never hide my address. A surprising number of people have asked for a Bitcoin option and we are working on it.
I found this interview by the lawyer who is suing me to be particularly interesting. I may say no more than that without danger of contempt of court.
Craig, I write this to say I have donated the entirety of a recent gift of 200 pounds from my grandmother to your defence and do so proudly.
My late grandfather was a socialist and would have applauded your commitment, energy and resolve in speaking out relentlessly against the sly and self-serving interests of the mainstream media and their corporate backers.
The best of luck to you Craig, and our thoughts are with you during what must be a horrendously stressful time which, sadly, the more prominent of those who are compelled to speak truth rather than cant or lies – such as yourself -are often called upon, so unjustly, to endure.
Kind regards, and keep your head high,
Ryan
That is astonishingly generous of you Ryan and I am very grateful both for it and for your reasoning
100% behind Craig. If the litigation succeeds they know it will have a ripple effect of self-censorship on pro-Palestine advocates.
I wan’t to donate but don’t use or have a Paypal account.
Can CM or anyone advise people like myself who don’t use Paypal how to donate to Craig ?
You can pay with (nearly) any credit or debit card.
Don’t click on the link that says “Log in to PayPal”
At the bottom of the page it says “Don’t have a PayPal account? Use your credit card or bank account (where available). Continue”
Click on the word “continue.”
^^ Sorry, I should have made clear, FIRST click on Craig’s PayPal button link above, THEN you are given the opportunity to pay using a credit or debit card.
Wish I could help, Craig, but struggling. Thank you for everything you have done. Wish you the very best with this.
I am anarchist and do not always agree with your national position but you are honest man with an independant mind you deserve the support from all who treasure freedom of expression. I hope my small amount will help, as Mao said the long journey begins with first step.
Donated as much as i could afford. Like others have said, you should set up a crowdfund. I’m always more inclined to donate (and donate again, happily) if the fundraising process is transparent. Good luck Craig!
Yes, there people who know how to use CrowdFund sources to make massive contributions. Find out how and DO IT !
Perhaps it’s all over this exchange ?;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzC6QSylETc
Wonder what’s with the outfit. Should get himself a wife.
Done. What you write is always worth reading, even if I don’t agree with every aspect of it (and you do occasionally get a bit carried away). The way the UK libel system is rigged in favour of the rich & powerful is outrageous. Hopefully together we can tip the balance back a bit.
You have my support.
I will give what I can. Best of luck.
Disgusting how Daily Mail should have their backside sued off for their deeply offensive and slanderous articles. The Xenophobic articles printed against Scotland are disgusting and we Scots could sue them for their racism, Scots law different in how our police deal with racist hate crime ( race discrimination act 2010 includes discrimination of Nationality/Nation origin) as in they investigate if they agree that something offends a person as in a racist comment,is indeed racist against our Nationality/National origin then the person/s are charged.DM, they’d get away with murder!. I’ll donate next week x
It all started with our mutual concern about the al-Hilli conundrum on codshit.com in September 2012.
Sent you a £10er, all the best.
Glad to help. Good blog, good causes and I believe you are a good man.
It may be that your Sky interview was set up to trap you into legal proceedings.
To conceal corruption in the judiciary, sometimes defendants are allowed to win cases but then on appeal lose.
Donated, with solidarity. Knock the buggers down!
Hi Craig
Loved your books all three paid over the odds for one of them. I like what you post and people should know that Zionism is evil. Anyway £100.00 to your cause and keep your chin up.
£100 donated. After a bit, let us know how much has been donated, as I can donate more if needed.
If you would let Bevin back as a commenter – on a month’s probation or some such, to maintain everyone’s sense of justice and fair play – I’ll double my donation right now. 😉
Good luck Craig!
Yes, I had to do a double take over “but support freedom of speech” bit ! 😀
Jake Wallis Simons appears to be obsessed with a non-existent hatred of Israel. That is not quite accurate but there are so many buzzwords on this blog which send comments into moderation concerning Israel. It would not surprise me if the link below did not do the same.
http://blogs.timesofisrael.com/letter-from-london-in-the-uk-anti-semitism-is-just-hiding-in-plain-sight/
Desperately sorry to hear about your predicament, Craig. You are a lone voice but so important and should not be silenced. Small donation – no need to return it if not needed.
Chrestomathy
Contributed. Good luck Craig.
how much raised so far?
Have you activated the crowdfunding sites?
Important thing would be to get that going, I imagine
I dont know the issues but am always worried y limitatiosn on free speech
and as I sense it this appears to be in this area
wd like update at [email protected] !
Most of your current output regarding Scottish Independence, the EU and the disparaging of all Brexit voters as racist is arrant rubbish that fails any test of coherence or reasonableness.
However free speech – even bad speech is valuable. Thus I have paid up in defense of free speech.
Based on publicly available information you appear to be on to a loser – best try to negotiate a settlement.
Well done, Loony. I have adjusted my opinion of you!
Craig I wish you luck in your case, and for your blog. I am donating £ 50 to your cause in order to support for free speech on Palestine.
I support you 100%. Have dibbed in what little I can afford, as live on benefits at moment. I think the Crowdfunder idea, as others have mentioned, is a good idea. Strength to you,
Kim
How the thump can this case have consumed £100,000 in legal costs to your opponent? That sounds bloody ridiculous. J
Greater Bradford has a population of some 1.5 million people. If a tenth of these were prepared to donate £1 your costs would be covered.
Bradford might be a good place to start. When I was up there cycling on behalf of Palestine they seemed very much aware of what the Israeli regime had done to Palestinians in its bombing, bulldozing and thieving of Palestinian property. I think you will reach your target Craig.
Good luck!
My donation was small but I am 100% behind you, Craig.
Donated, Craig
Suggest you get a lawyer to represent you as well, that would increase your chance of success, and put pressure on Simons with a counter suit for harassment and distress.