LibDem MP is cleared of defaming Tory rival (From The Argus)

Eastbourne LibDem MP is cleared of defaming Tory rival

9:00am Sunday 3rd March 2013 in News

Eastbourne MP Stephen Lloyd has been cleared over claims his campaign leaflet contained defamatory statements about his predecessor.

A leaflet produced by the Liberal Democrat during the 2010 election campaign made comments about Conservative Nigel Waterson's expenses.

A High Court ruling in 2011 said the comments were defamatory.

But the Appeal Court ruled the comments did not imply Mr Waterson had broken the law or expenses rules.

The libel case had been brought against him in December 2010 by Mr Waterson, who lost his Eastbourne seat to Mr Lloyd and was cleared of any wrongdoing over his expenses claims for a second home in outer London.

Mr Lloyd said he was delighted “common sense and justice” had prevailed, despite going through “a long and somewhat convoluted process”.

Mr Waterson said he was disappointed by the ruling.

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