I don’t want to accept this money or settle. I would love to see all the allegations that they deny tested in court.
But the rules around civil litigation mean that if I proceed to trial and the court awards me damages that are even a penny less than the settlement offer, I would have to pay the legal costs of both sides.
My lawyers tell me that that is exactly what would most likely happen here. Rupert Murdoch’s lawyers are very expensive. So even if every allegation is proven in court, I would still be liable for something approaching £10 million in costs. I’m afraid I am shying at that fence.
Rupert Murdoch has spent over £1billon in damages to claimants and in lawyers’ fees, settling over 1500 claims in this way. He seems remarkably determined that there shouldn’t be a trial of the facts.
Murdoch’s settlement money has a stink and I refuse to let this be hush money. I have spent the best part of 12 years fighting for a free press that does not distort the truth,
abuse ordinary members of the public or hold elected MPs to ransom in pursuit of newspaper barons’ personal profit and political power.
So this money will repurposed via groups like Hacked Off into the general campaign to expose the worst excesses of our oligarch-owned press.
I’d like to thank my legal team, Anjlee Sangani, David Sherborne, Evan Harris and Dan Waddell.
I’d also like to thank the courageous whistle-blowers who came over from the other side, and other brave witnesses who are providing much of the evidence, including
Dan Evans, Emma Jones, Steve Whittamore, Danno Hanks and Glenn Mulcaire. I particularly want to acknowledge
the work and sacrifices of Graham Johnson in the face of unfair attacks from those on the other side who are seeking to stop the truth coming out. End of 🧵
@HackedOffHugh This is great. Can you also confirm that you are not the person who yelled at Rebecca Ferguson?
@HackedOffHugh Thank you Hugh. You’ve had so many - but this is your greatest role. Thank you 🙏
Great thread @HackedOffHugh and it will resonate with many people in Australia. There are growing calls for a Royal Commission into the Murdoch media empire and their practices, and this is just another example of how they wield their power. They are the enemy of the people and we all need to fight back.
@HackedOffHugh Fair play Hugh Top man Murdoch's empire has and continues to toxify societies where it operates Best wishes 👏👏👏
@HackedOffHugh All credit to Grant for holding out as long as he did The law has to change Yes, there needs to be an incentive to settle But it is insane to run the risk of bankruptcy even if you win the case in court Murdoch & the like escapes again It’s all on Harry
@HackedOffHugh PS I've a feeling if you tried to crowd fund it you'd get the full amount from Liverpool alone. #dontbuythesun
@HackedOffHugh Good effort Hugh, but understandable that you’re settling. The fight continues 🍻
@HackedOffHugh I think this movement you created in the face of wonky laws happily abused by perversely powerful men within an institutionally corrupt unforgiving country, is a monumental achievement that speaks to the character& courage of conviction people have come to love & respect you for.