Jul 24 - GSD Says It Is "Scandalous" For Taxpayer To Fund Defamation Case

The GSD has said that it is scandalous that the taxpayer is funding a personal defamation claim brought by the Chief Minister against Gareth Gingell  for comments made on Facebook.

They add that this is an abuse of taxpayer funds, which could be put to better use funding our schools for example.

A statement from the GSD said: "It means that if the Chief Minister loses (which is unlikely because the gentleman in question has no funds to pursue a defense and has had to resort to raising money on social media for that purpose) the taxpayer will have to pick up the tab. Will any damages he receives be paid into the Consolidated Fund or will they accrue to the Chief Minister for him to dispose as he wishes? Should the taxpayer be funding legal fees to the firm of which the Chief Minister is a partner in a claim involving the Chief Minister?

"There is also the issue of equality of arms. The Chief Minister is a wealthy lawyer and a partner in the law firm representing him, should he really be funded by the taxpayer whilst a man of moderate means struggles to pay for his defense? It is also not true that the criteria for the taxpayer funding defamation claims by or against Ministers is clear and we are writing to the Chief Secretary for clarification. What if the Chief Minister defames a member of the Opposition, why should the Chief Minister have his costs paid but not a member of the Opposition?

"The Chief Minister is opening a can of worms and all because he wants stamp on criticism from any perceived threat however trivial."

{fcomment}