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.
Small amount donated Craig hope all goes well.
On my way to donate now. It won’t be much I’m afraid, but I hope every little helps and I’ll blog this appeal myself to help reach a few more people. This is appalling news and I wish you all the best
I am not going to send you any money, however I will attend court as a character witness, to defend any charges of anti semitism against you. I may disagree with some of your political views, but I will come along with The Blockheads (ask Gilad Atzmon) to defend you. Even though I don’t agree with you. It wouldn’t be the first time. I will help in any way I can. My wife and I have already saved 2 innocent men from jail…merely by providing detailed information to the court in advanced and turning up as witnesses with their friends. We all knew they were innocent. Courts do take notice of witness evidence. Tony
I have followed your blog for some months having previously kept up with your work via the Guardian. I wish you well with the libel case (small donation sent) and hope that you can raise enough funds to cover your costs. If you cannot find a pro-bono lawyer had you thought about getting a group of final year law students onto your case? They often have very good results. Reading the article about the lawyer acting for the prosecution I can see that he has a personal axe to grind as well as professional status to uphold, so I don’t suppose this is going to be an easy case for you but justice should prevail and defending Palestine is the moral thing to do, and is not anti-Semitic.
Tried to donate. Paypal intervened. Having nowt to do with them since they froze my backpacking son’s account in Oz and would happily have left him destitute. Can I send a cheque or do anything else please?
I’ve donated £20 Craig. Wish it could be more. I’ve really appreciated this blog over the last few years and it’s very important that you keep posting.
I agree with your comments about the injustice of the libel system. It’s a scandal really that people with more money can buy more justice than those without. That’s pretty much the antithesis of justice.
Best of luck with your defence.
Happy to post anything if needed, although I’m rarely online nowadays! (my background is Paul Dacre and the Mail targeted me in a very obsessive manner when I was younger and somehow refuses to engage with me now I’m a wee bit older and have managed to make time to string an amateur blog together).
Popping a few quid in to my mate who will donate, sorry not more but I’m a broke student/traveller type.
Regards chum,
Sufiah Yusof
Donation given old boy. I know for years I have been telling you that to engage the brain before putting the mouth in gear is the way to go..as usual..you have completely ignored the advise on numerous occasions..God knows that’s why I put up with you ! Now go and kick that DM wanker soundly in the bollocks !
I said that, too !
Done and in the post. They will not succeed!
Welcome to the establishment,the sooner England gets it’s own parliament the better for all of us
Best of luck with the case Craig. I’m a pensioner and don’t have much money, but have donated what I can afford. You save my sanity sometimes with what you write. The antisemite campaign against the Labour Party Leadership is cynical and dishonest. The Daily Mail is a poisonous rag that spreads division and hatred. If there is any shred of justice in this country you will win this case.
It has nothing to do with justice and everything to do with the law.
There is nothing in the public domain to suggest that Mr. Murray has a strong case. Therefore seeking a negotiated settlement is worthy of consideration.
If the complaint isn’t in the public domain, how would you know what the strength of his case is? Still and all, I hope he can get qualified advice before the hearing. This will be argued on – possibly obscure – points of law, not on morality.
I am in with £50. A small price to pay for a great blog that brings in some excellent posters. Shame about the 9/11 blind spot Craig!
About the 9/11 blind spot, many worthy figures (eg Chomsky) also have it, but is forgivable because of their courageous stand against injustice, in Palestine and elsewhere.
With other clowns, eg Monbiot, it is unforgivable, esp. after his insulting and ignorant ssault on “9/11 truthers”.
I can´t help thinking that there will be an ugly backlash agains Jews because of Israel´s ever increasing outrageousness and impunity.
“I can´t help thinking that there will be an ugly backlash agains Jews because of Israel´s ever increasing outrageousness and impunity.”
If that happens, it will be because of a very small number of mindless morons. The powers that be will use this to smear the rest of us that are onto them, as anti semites.
Having read a little of the details of the case whilst camping in a field in Dorset ( former and possibly current MOD training land)…it appears to me that Craig Murray has published that a person who may be very wealthy is not a nice man. However I can find no evidence whatsoever that Craig Murray has called him a Cunt. It he has then I think Craig Murrsy told the truth. However I don’t know the details. Maybe he is a really nice man and its Craig Murrsy who is guilty of being a Cunt. Can’t you Two do Pistols at Dawn instead? You.will both probably miss and it would save a fortune in legal fees. Tony
As far as I can gather CM may have suggested that someone, previously unknown to me, and not a public figure, but possibly funded by heaven-knows-who, told an untruth.
In that context, I have to agree with CM that
-the English legal regime, onus of proof etc, is a joke;
–the costs ruling is ridiculously oppressive.
Hi Craig small donation sent, hope you win your case and come out fighting!!
I found this interview by the lawyer who is suing me to be particularly interesting’….
So did I. He is going through a terrible personal, but public, trauma, hence……
Everything must be measured as not to cause too much unease or god forbid, stress.
I’m not a lawyer, but is this another trap to be aware off? malodorous smells can waft whichever the public wind blows…
Shall send you a few quid to add, the more the better, because you are one of a few gate keepers of truth. I very much hope that fellow whistle blowers will make your plight apparent to many more and share some of the pain.
I don’t do pathetic, but you have changed the life’s of many people, mine included, you have enriched us with insight, interpretations, hard facts and the warmth of humanity at the same time.
You are not what people accuse you off, a massively overrated set phrase that has lost its very meaning in the face of real atrocities committed.
You are a fair and honest person who does not shy away from calling a shed a shed, however much it looks like a military base….. and you are a friend I value very much.
From the vestibule of gutter press publications that is not even a valid Wikipedia source which is really saying something. Simons is a troglodyte and using libel laws is abhorrent. Support in fluffy good luck and in sterling.
Best of luck
Done and no refunded needed regardless of the outcome. “76952855PH0421423”
I’ve sent a donation Craig and good luck to you. This is beginning to look sinister now, Andy Wightman, Stuart Campbell and yourself. We have to stand up to all of this.
If you don’t need this please keep the money for your blog costs.
It’s a clear choice; support Craig Murray,a campaigner for a better society, or support a right-wing platform for the rich. I know who’s side I am on.
I am regular reader of your blog, so I am sending you a small donation, in the hope that you will continue with your writing.
Donation in Craig.Hope that it helps.
Unfortunately the system and the leagal system was tailor made for the wealthy and privileged ,we will always be under the heal and ground into submission ,I will donate and hope that it all goes well . The Labour Party should endeavour to set up a fund to oppose this type of action and make justice more accessible to the working man .
All the very best with this, Craig. Thank you.
George Galloway has a history of being sued by the Daily Mail, and countersued and from memory won over £300,000. So if there is a fighting fund for Craig Murray and people contribute…if you contribute £5…and he wins 10-1 (dependent on the judge) Craig Murray should pay you back £50. and don’t deduct hotel expenses. He can stay at my house if he wants (free) or next door..They do AirBnb but you will have to pay them out of your save Craig Murray fighting fund. The station’s close. Less than an hour into central London. Bring your wife Nadira. Cameron can play with my Grandson.
Donation made Craig, good luck. Your blog is always infomative, often entertaining and attracts a plethora of strange people. How could we not want that to continue? Regards.
Donated. Without people like you, the folks at Medialens, Jonathan Cook, John Pilger, etc. I might still be blind to the true nature of the mainstream media and to many truth behind global events. All the best.
Could you say what this case is about? I always respected you for your position on Uzbekistan (and not a fan of the Mail!).
50 in from me Craig, wishing you the best of luck.
Its a cunning ploy of the Zionist lobby to term everyone as Anti-Semite, whoever speaks out against Israel’s atrocity and injustice. This is to instill fear, so that people are afraid to speak out for the Palestinians. They will try to suppress the truth by using everything they have got – media, money and muscle power.
Have made a small donation for now. Will come back with more.
Craig, you have the strength of character to stand against adversity and tell the truth. Please don’t loose the hope and never give up!!
All the best 🙂
Craig you are a bastion of liberalism and a defender of free thought and speech.
Donation made..
Good luck Craig like your articles.Doubt if you are the last Indy minded writer that they will go for