Let me state right from the outset, that I have the absolute minimal interest in Football, Leeds United, Ken Bates and Melvyn Levi. However when Ken Bates started to throw nasty comments around about Melvyn Levi, it seems to me that it is time he was pulled down a peg or two. He alleged that Mr Levi was a “Shyster” who tried to blackmail the club (Leeds United) over money.
Mr Levi had asked for an apology and said he would settle out of court for £15,000 damages, but Mr Bates thought he could get away with his comments.
Mervyn Levi (left) & Ken Bates (right)
In three articles in the clubs programmes, and a letters to club members between 2006 and 2007, Mr Bates alleged Mr Levi had refused to honour an obligation to transfer shares in Leeds United, was trying to blackmail the club, was a “shyster” and had scared off potential investors. Whilst Mr Levi claimed the publications contained “grave and offensive” libels which seriously injured his reputation, Mr Bates defended his comments on the grounds of justification and fair comment.
Judgement hinged on the use of the word “shyster.” Judge Sir Charles Grey said, “That term in my judgement would have been understood to mean that Mr Levi was someone who engaged in sharp, disreputable and dishonest practices.
He went on to explain that the £50,000 damages was in respect of the three match programmes, and added that the most important factor of all was the obvious distress and injury to Mr Levi’s feelings caused by the libels.
With costs and damages awarded against Mr Bates, his total bill is likely to come to in the region of £1.5 million.
I bet he wished he had 1) kept his mouth shut 2) not penned the libellous articles and 3) accepted the out of court settlement!
But as my grandfather used to say “A fool and his money are soon parted!”
Judgement hinged on the use of the word “shyster.” Judge Sir Charles Grey said, “That term in my judgement would have been understood to mean that Mr Levi was someone who engaged in sharp, disreputable and dishonest practices.
He went on to explain that the £50,000 damages was in respect of the three match programmes, and added that the most important factor of all was the obvious distress and injury to Mr Levi’s feelings caused by the libels.
With costs and damages awarded against Mr Bates, his total bill is likely to come to in the region of £1.5 million.
I bet he wished he had 1) kept his mouth shut 2) not penned the libellous articles and 3) accepted the out of court settlement!
But as my grandfather used to say “A fool and his money are soon parted!”
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