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.
I most certainly DO NOT wish any monies returned. I am pleased the issue could be resolved without existential distress for you or your family.
Good outcome and good decision.
Glad you have had this unfair weight removed from your shoulders. The law needs changed to stop such stroppy attempts at money buying judgements that could break a family despite them being in the right and were unable to pay for the legal clout to ensure fairness.
Enjoyed Sikunder (Iskander) Burns book having spent a wheen of time working in the Stans, and my last posting in the fair city of Tashkent. Chill out with a few halfs and half pints.
I’m so glad with the result – far better than expected. My contribution has been very well spent.
Amazing Stuff
Well Done Those Who got to Court
Glad to hear of this outcome. I don’t want my money back and trust you to put leftovers to good use.
Good news and what a relief,Craig. Am happy if you donate any of my pennies left over to Andy Wightman’s and Neil Clark’s funds.
Happy to pay my donation forward and fight the good fight.
One down, but how many to go?
So pleased you have been spared the iniquity of damages. I hold no truck whatsoever with those who ignore the existential threat Israel faces from its “neighbours”. Nor do I hold any truck with “journalists” who seek recourse through law if they feel insulted. Keep on keeping on!
Relieved for you, Craig. And no, I shan’t be demanding refund of my modest contribution. Best wishes
A reasonable outcome. Could have been far worse.
Unlike the many saying spend their donation as you see fit, I’d like to make a suggestion that you spend a couple of quid of mine on a mirror, hairbrush and comb, which you can then use before your next television interview, so that you do not look as though you have just rolled out of a barn somewhere.
It’s perhaps not the result you wanted, but I think it says a great deal that the person instigating the action backed down by accepting the compromise statement of settlement.
You walk away with your reputation completely intact, exactly the result your supporters wanted.
I’d written mine off as I do on the odd occasion when I have a bet, usually golf, occasionally football. I’m only glad I did not have to cough up more. For me it was a winning result. For both teams.
Delighted with the outcome! As 2 people who supported you and made contributions, we believe that you have done exactly the right thing and further support your decision about any left over money.
I feel like I love you tonight. You are so human. Well done. X
Good outcome for all, all things considered!
Glad it’s all over for you. I’m happy for you to use my donation in whatever way you deem fit
It woild have been a travesty to have seen a good man brought down. Glad you weren’t. Keep up the good work. However, while I think your plans for any residual funds are noble, I insist you use any attributable to me to actively celebrate your victory personally in whatever way you see fit.
A pleasure to help, even in a small way, and so pleased it’s over!
Congratulations Craig Murray and praise be to all the generous souls who paid-up to support you. The little people have new heroes.
Excellent. You must be very relieved Craig. I’m happy for you.
I only gave to you out of some dim loyalty from here. If you have cash after costs, I would prefer my donation passed on to something more attuned to my politics than defending liberals in court. You could well argue and I would accept it that only a proportion is due. However, if you do have a handsome sum leftover would you donate my fifty to a radical group of my choice?
I’ll even choose a group based in Scotland. A group that rejects all nationalism obviously, but in Scotland.
Craig – Wise move, good result. Very relieved for you and your family . Keep up the blogging.
Craig,
I don’t know if it would be in keeping with the amicable nature of the settlement, but I’d be most interested in a new blog post about your legal team’s strategy, and any speculation about why the other side appeared to fold at the start of the trial. Clearly whatever arguments had been put forward in the pre-trial papers seems to have worked some magic.
I Can’t Bleive the Number of New Contribters.. Please Stay
Right decision. Well done. We need you on top form, telling it like it is.
So pleased for you Craig. You must be massvely relieved after all this worry.
So relieved this is over for you and that eventually you will be able to put your full energy back into what you do best, using your experience in order to hold our wayward conceited elite to account.
Thank you for what you do and I look forward to more of your insights on here.
Whatever you decide to do with what’s left of my small donation is fine by me, Craig. Why not have a wee dram. You deserve it.
I am so pleased. It has been a dreadful ordeal. Give yourself some time to recuperate. Much love from here in Hastings.
Congratulations Craig. Take a few deep breaths then get back on that bike. You are a valuable asset for the cause. Would understand if you want to back away but please don’t. Keep anything left over and use to help the others.
So so glad for you and your family.
Happy for my contribution to be passed on to Andy Wightman and Neil Clark.