[Politics] Boris Johnson and Charlotte Edwardes

[GJN1]

I think I know the answer to this but why, if Boris Johnson has been accused of something that could be construed as sexual assault, isn't he suing Charlotte Edwardes for libel?

And, moreover, why has no journalist asked if he is going to sue her?

Is it the same reason David Beckham and Gordon Ramsay never sued The Sun for alleging they had extra-marital affairs?

 

[B-right-on]

Just happens to write the story as she gets new job as a journalist.

 

[GJN1]

Just happens to write the story as she gets new job as a journalist.

Not really my point. Would you sue if someone falsely accused you, in print, of sexual assault?

 

[lawros left foot]

I think it’s nearly impossible to prove, one way or the other.

 

[Palacefinder General]

More importantly, is odious dwarf John Bercow more of a narcissist than Blow Job (BJ)?

 

[Garry Nelson's teacher]

I think it’s nearly impossible to prove, one way or the other.

Yes - it's going to be her word against his. And Boris would never tell a lie.

 

[lawros left foot]

Yes - it's going to be her word against his. And Boris would never tell a lie.

If he sued for slander/ defamation of character laugh wouldn’t the burden of proof be on him? He’d have to prove she lied.

 

[blue-shifted]

If he sued for slander/ defamation of character laugh wouldn’t the burden of proof be on him? He’d have to prove she lied.

It would be on the balance of probabilities. However with no evidence except one persons word against another it would be a pointless risk

 

[dejavuatbtn]

Why now? You would have thought she would have had plenty of opportunity to report this since it is alleged to have happened.

 

[Gwylan]

If he sued for slander/ defamation of character laugh wouldn’t the burden of proof be on him? He’d have to prove she lied.

No. the burden of proof would be on her BUT for defamation to be proved, he'd have to show that the libel damaged his character. I think that a guy who'd been sacked twice for lying, who has had several extra-marital affairs and at least one child born out of wedlock would be on thin ice. He'd have to answer a lot of questions under oath and it wouldn't be pretty reading.

And, even if he won, the damages would be meagre. I think I've mentioned before about the first time I was sued for libel. We brazened it out, as the plaintiff was such an unsavoury character with a long list of convictions, that my brief thought he'd get a penny damages at best and have to pay his costs - the plaintiff dropped the case.

 

[BensGrandad]

Why should she make these accusations 20 years after the alleged event and co incidentally when Boris is on the rack? I wonder.what he motive is.

 

[Lower West Stander]

Why should she make these accusations 20 years after the alleged event and co incidentally when Boris is on the rack? I wonder.what he motive is.

I don't think its an accusation.

She just mentioned something that had happened in response to recent events surrounding BJ....

The press have jumped on the bavk of it

 

[mejonaNO12 aka riskit]

Why should she make these accusations 20 years after the alleged event .

I can't believe people still ask that question

 

[BensGrandad]

Obviously with the aim to help bring down Boris.

 

[LamieRobertson]

Obviously with the aim to help bring down Boris.

If know the answer why ask the question?

 

[nicko31]

Obviously with the aim to help bring down Boris.

A mild alleged mild sexual assault is a welcome distraction to the issues surrounding him that are a lot more serious

 

[Juan Albion]

Why now? You would have thought she would have had plenty of opportunity to report this since it is alleged to have happened.

This kind of argument always gets trotted out in situations like this. It is up to the victim to decide when she or he is ready to talk about something so painful.

 

[Is it PotG?]

This kind of argument always gets trotted out in situations like this. It is up to the victim to decide when she or he is ready to talk about something so painful.

Must have been a long and arduous wait. I'd have been tempted when he became Mayor, or even more so @ FS.

 

[Greg Bobkin]

Why should she make these accusations 20 years after the alleged event and co incidentally when Boris is on the rack? I wonder.what he motive is.

Interesting – but well done if intentional – turn of phrase there, BG

 

[Juan Albion]

Must have been a long and arduous wait. I'd have been tempted when he became Mayor, or even more so @ FS.

You make it sound like it is something you plan. It isn't.