Sir James Dyson’s libel claim against the Daily Mirror’s publisher, Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN), has been dismissed by Mr. Justice Jay. The legal action stemmed from an article published in January 2022, which Dyson deemed a personal attack on his lifetime achievements. In the two-day trial, Justin Rushbrooke KC, representing Sir James, argued that the article constituted an unjustified slur on his reputation, both personally and professionally. The piece, written by Brian Reade, referred to Dyson as the “vacuum-cleaner tycoon” who championed Vote Leave and later relocated his global head office to Singapore. The court, however, sided with MGN, asserting that Sir James failed to demonstrate financial loss or harm to his philanthropic work.
During the trial, MGN defended the claim, contending that Reade’s article constituted “honest opinion.” Adrienne Page KC, representing MGN, argued that the words in the article were substantially correct, and Sir James could not dictate how the commentator expressed them. The judgment, in upholding the rights of columnists to share honestly held opinions about powerful individuals, was welcomed by an MGN spokesperson.
In response to the verdict, a Dyson spokesperson emphasized the company’s success as a global technology firm, employing thousands in the UK and contributing significantly to the economy. The statement highlighted Dyson’s substantial investments in the UK, increased corporation tax payments post-2019, and the establishment of a university in Malmesbury, which educates undergraduates with no tuition fees while offering a salary and contributing to taxes. Despite the legal setback, the spokesperson underlined Dyson’s positive impact and ongoing commitment to various endeavors.
Read more: NYC man says community effort helped arrest the woman who police say attacked him and his son
1 Comment