Ever since a gabby journalist from the Sunday Mirror spoke out of turn during the early days of the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, life has been intolerable for Robert Murat. He just happened to live in the same small town, but was fingered by the loose lips of a female reporter. She thought he was acting suspiciously, but just went on her feelings alone. Her words were taken up by all and sundry in the media. His house was turned upside down, his personal life dissected like a dead mouse on a clinician's table. Now he is suing Sky News, the Daily Express, Sunday Express, Daily Star, Daily Mail, Evening Standard, Metro, Daily Mirror, Sunday Mirror, News of the World, Sun and the Scotsman. The biggest libel action for many moons.Murat has been the subject of relentless speculation, much of it just questionable prurience. The only recourse in these instances is to sue for defamation damages. His Portuguese lawyer thinks, "After what was reported, it is very easy to understand this decision." Too true. One wonders what these media outlets are going to come up with in their defence.
Media lawyer and litigation expert Dan Tench, a partner at Olswang solicitors, described allegations made in the Portuguese press and repeated in British outlets as "a media feeding frenzy that at times paid little regard to the legal niceties". Legal niceties are way down on the list of the Murdoch Media and the likes of the porno-backed Daily Express!
Let's see how it all pans out!
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