Actor-turned-politician Laurence Fox has been ordered by a High Court judge to pay £90,000 each to two people he wrongly accused of being “pe3dophiles” on social media.
The judge ruled against Fox in a legal battle with former Stonewall trustee Simon Blake and drag artist Crystal, also known as Colin Seymour. Fox’s remarks came during a debate about Sainsbury’s Black History Month support in October 2020.
Fox had countersued Blake, Seymour, and actress Nicola Thorp over racism allegations but lost. The judge criticized Fox’s actions, calling his accusations “gross, groundless, and indefensible libel.”
Fox must compensate Blake and Seymour and is barred from repeating the false claims. Despite Fox’s apology and retraction, the judge ruled his statements had caused significant harm. This verdict emphasizes the consequences of false accusations on social media.
