By Press Association 2021
Rachel Riley libel case
Television presenter Rachel Riley’s reputation was damaged when she was criticised in a tweet posted by a former senior aide to ex-Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, a lawyer has told a High Court judge overseeing a libel trial.
William Bennett QC told Mr Justice Nicklin on Monday that the tweet posted by Laura Murray about two years ago caused serious harm to Ms Riley, 35, who appears in the Channel 4 show Countdown.
Ms Murray is disputing the claim.
Mr Justice Nicklin began overseeing the trial, at the High Court in London, on Monday.
The trial is due to end late this week.
By Press Association 2021
Rachel Riley
Television presenter Rachel Riley has told a High Court judge she was subjected to a “concerted attack” two years ago after an aide to then Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn described her as “dangerous” and “stupid” in a tweet.
Ms Riley, 35, who appears in Channel 4 show Countdown, told Mr Justice Nicklin that she received an “onslaught of abuse” following Laura Murray’s March 2019 tweet.
She said a “campaign” had been initiated to “get me fired from my job, as being someone who had advocated violence”.
Ms Riley, who has sued Ms Murray for libel and wants damages, said the tweet caused “serious harm” to her reputation.
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Ms Murray, who no longer works as an aide to Mr Corbyn, has mounted a defence. She says what she tweeted was true, and reflected her honestly-held opinions. Mr Justice Nicklin on Monday began overseeing a trial at the High Court in London. Ms Murray had posted the tweet on March 3 2019, after an egg was thrown at Mr Corbyn, then the Labour leader, by a Brexit supporter when he was visiting Finsbury Park Mosque in north London.
Rachel Riley arrives at the Royal Courts of Justice in London (Dominic Lipinski/PA) She had been responding to a tweet posted by Ms Riley, Mr Justice Nicklin heard.
By Press Association 2021
Rachel Riley
Television presenter Rachel Riley has told a High Court judge she was subjected to a “concerted attack” two years ago after an aide to then Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn described her as “dangerous” and “stupid” in a tweet.
Ms Riley, 35, who appears in Channel 4 show Countdown, told Mr Justice Nicklin that she received an “onslaught of abuse” following Laura Murray’s March 2019 tweet.
She said a “campaign” had been initiated to “get me fired from my job, as being someone who had advocated violence”.
Ms Riley, who has sued Ms Murray for libel and wants damages, said the tweet caused “serious harm” to her reputation.