Rachel Riley’s libel case against me has taken another twist after a High Court judge decided to strike out all of my defence.
I now have to take the case to the Court of Appeal, which will cost a considerable amount of money.
I also have to pay Riley’s costs relating to the strike-out application. The amount is under discussion and my solicitor has suggested £10,000 as a potential starting-point if I need to make an interim payment.
This is a bitter blow. But it is not a defeat.
My legal team and I have good reason to believe that the decision can be overturned.
But – and I am really sorry to put this on you – we cannot do a single thing without more funds.
It is as I have said all along. Justice is now an incredibly expensive plaything for the rich, and if – like me – you are not a millionaire then you are unlikely to get it.
Rachel Riley knew this when she launched her case against me.
This case has always been about showing that people can win if we all stand together against injustice, and that has never been more true than now.
The average donation to the CrowdJustice fund is just £20. Not a huge amount at all. But thousands of people contributed and it got me a long way.
If you all contributed just £20 more, I could take this back to court and demonstrate why my defences – all of them – should be reinstated.
Will you stand up for justice?
Will you help me?
Or do you want to give up, and let everything we have done so far go to waste?
(I think I know the answer to that last question!)
For those who don’t know how to help, here’s how it works:
Consider making a donation yourself, if you can afford it, via the CrowdJustice page.
Email your friends, asking them to pledge to the CrowdJustice site.
Post a link to Facebook, asking readers to pledge.
On Twitter, tweet in support, quoting the address of the appeal.
This is the most desperate moment in the case so far.
If Riley wins, it means rich celebrities will have judicial support for the kind of activities that so bitterly harmed the teenage girl in this case.
I cannot allow that to happen without taking action. You have given me every reason to believe you feel the same.
It’s time to rally.
It’s time to make it all worthwhile.
Have YOU donated to my crowdfunding appeal, raising funds to fight false libel claims by TV celebrities who should know better? These court cases cost a lot of money so every penny will help ensure that wealth doesn’t beat justice.
Vox Political needs your help!
If you want to support this site
(but don’t want to give your money to advertisers)
you can make a one-off donation here:
Here are four ways to be sure you’re among the first to know what’s going on.
1) Register with us by clicking on ‘Subscribe’ (in the left margin). You can then receive notifications of every new article that is posted here.
2) Follow VP on Twitter @VoxPolitical
3) Like the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/VoxPolitical/
Join the Vox Political Facebook page.
4) You could even make Vox Political your homepage at http://voxpoliticalonline.com
And do share with your family and friends – so they don’t miss out!
If you have appreciated this article, don’t forget to share it using the buttons at the bottom of this page. Politics is about everybody – so let’s try to get everybody involved!
Buy Vox Political books so we can continue
fighting for the facts.
The Livingstone Presumption is now available
in either print or eBook format here:
Health Warning: Government! is now available
in either print or eBook format here:
The first collection, Strong Words and Hard Times,
is still available in either print or eBook format here: