At the High Court today the following joint statement was agreed.
On 29 April 2016, Jake Wallis Simons and Craig Murray appeared together on Sky News to debate anti-Semitism in the United Kingdom. Following that debate, Dr Wallis Simons issued libel proceedings against Mr Murray. Dr Wallis Simons and Mr Murray have now settled these proceedings.
By this statement, Mr Murray accepts that Dr Wallis Simons is not a liar, and Dr Wallis Simons accepts that Mr Murray is not an anti-Semite. They are both pleased to have resolved this dispute amicably.
I am genuinely happy with this outcome, which would never have been remotely possible without the incredible 5,000 plus people who donated to my defence fund and enabled me to be represented by a top legal team. It continues to be my view that the libel laws are appalling – had I lost the case I was very definitely looking at a cost of £350,000 plus.
I am also very grateful to the band of readers of this blog who arrived to support me, and in the end saw very little. When invited to open the case the other side immediately asked for an adjournment to discuss a settlement. The hour of delay which followed was occupied on our side almost entirely by my agonising over whether it was morally acceptable for me to agree this statement and use the defence fund to pay my lawyers, or whether those who donated did so in the expectation I would fight the case whatever.
There were a number of supporters at hand who had donated, many of whom were personally previously unknown to me, and the opinions I could canvass were unanimously that this was a good result and a good use of their money.
Having agreed to settle in this way, I have arrived at this following decision. If anybody who donated feels they have been unduly sold out, please let me know through the contact button above and your donation will be refunded to you.
When we started the defence fund, our “realistic” projection was a total of £12,000. That we eventually raised over £100,000 is astonishing. Equally astonishing, but in a bad way, is that my own legal team’s cost almost amounts to that – I will publish full accounts in due course. After all is settled and refunds issued to those who wish, if anything is left over I propose to split it between Andy Wightman’s defence fund and Neil Clark’s case against Oliver Kamm. Again please do let me know if you object. It’s actually your money not mine.
I did not realise how this has been weighing me down, until the threat has been lifted today. I have never claimed to be entirely without fault, and I would ask you to refrain from any comment here which detracts from the amicable spirit of the joint statement. It is a time for celebration not recrimination, and please confine any rudeness to remarks about me.
delighted to hear this Craig and very happy with your proposed donations should there be money left over – glad to have been able to help.
Good outcome! I agree with all you have said. You must be very relieved.
Delighted that this ordeal is over for you. I hope it won’t deter you from continuing your work to hold the wealthy and powerful to account. We need your voice more than ever.
hear, hear
I agree
Well done old chap. Very happy to see you get through this.
What an excellent result. Perhaps not a poke in the eye for the libel system that we were looking for, but a huge relief nonetheless.
It is very kind that you wish to spend the remaining monies on other people. I was going to instruct you to spend my donation on whisky, for the benefit of your future journalism 🙂
Hiya Jon. Depending on how much you gave he possibly already has, and very nice stuff it was too. Thanks.
Good to see you here, Clark! And if you’ve had a dram with Craig, great stuff.
As I recall that Craig is fond of it, I am pouring a dram of Lagavulin to your health, and to Craig’s excellent outcome.
Cheers, and good health to you. Here’s to moderation and peace. Both parties set a fine example to the world today; let conflict be minimised.
I am very pleased to hear this and wish you all the best in the future.
That must be a great relief to you Craig, quite an ordeal to undergo for speaking openly and honestly. Glad to hear that they sought to settle at the earliest opportunity. Bluff called….
Once the judge has started the trial is hardly the earliest opportunity 🙂
More than happy for you to use the small donation as you see fit. Always enjoy reading your blogs and best wishes for the future.
Sounds good well done. The outcome of litigation is always uncertain.
As Sun Tzu put it, “The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.”
I didn’t actually know the defence had a top legal team – I’d got it into my head that the defence would be self-representing – but Craig and his team did brilliantly. No donors have been sold out. Hopefully the idea to the contrary won’t even cross any of their minds. The aim was for Craig not to be found guilty of libel and be ruined as a consequence, and that goal has been achieved. Have a good evening, Craig!
I wonder whether any major media will report this victory for a good man and what amounts to one in the eye for a bunch of vicious racist moneygrabbers?
Of course it would be interesting to know what would have happened in court had no settlement been reached, but that we shall never know.
You’re welcome to it Craig. I’m very glad that it all worked out so well.
Good result. Keep the money, have a laugh.
Very pleased to hear this.
Delighted for you to use any funds left over in the way that you suggest and relieved that your ordeal is over.
Well done, your strength and honesty is a much needed example. I am pleased to have been able to help . Keep up the good work!
What a waste of fucking time.
And money.
And public services.
A disgrace.
Personally, yes I am pleased for you, but I am also angry as hell about such a waste of time this case was.
lol! fkn lawyers!!
I agree with and respect your decision Craig, and look forward to more of your excellent and perceptive blogging.
this is the best news all day. and there’s been some good news today. so happy for you, it seems the plaintiff came to their senses and felt a quick slide out the back door would be good enough. I am more than happy for you to redirect my measly donation to other defence funds which you deem worthy. I trust your judgement more than pretty much any other political commentator out there.
Very relieved for you. (I taught at Paston 6th Form College) and direct many Paston people to your website.
We are proud of you here in Norfolk.
The process is the punishment.
I’m delighted for you Craig. The strain must have been terrible. So glad it is over.
Good result – and fully support your proposals re the split of any excess funds. You must be relieved! :-0
Glad to hear this has been resolved – what a terrible cloud to have been hanging over you!
Excellent, i feel your relief. Common sense has clearly prevailed, and it is a great pity that it took to the start of proceedings for this to occur. As per usual, the only people who have gained from this are the law profession, although I am very glad you had a good team to rely on. I do hope that this be an example to any other would-be litigants in this area of opinion, politics and blogs that civil settlement and debate is always preferable to the tortuous and futile process of the courts.
Well done Craig.
Good luck old chap,
very pleased your ordeal is done.
You are not responsible for the libel laws and you did not choose to be in this position. I’m sure a lot of people did donate to help you fight this trumped-up case but I’m also sure that most, if not all, will be delighted that you have been able to end the agony you must have been through. We donated out of respect for the stand(s) you take.
Immensely happy for you Craig. Totally agree with a previous comment that the aim of my donation was to avoid seeing you in financial ruin and to safeguard the continuation of your blog. A very successful outcome and I’m sure all your supporters share in your relief!
Fantastic news.
Money well spent. Pleased you have that weight lifted from you.