“I hope it will make some difference in the ongoing demonisation of queer people as ‘groomers’ or ‘dangerous’. This is a lesson: we will not take it”
BY DIVA STAFF, IMAGE BY BBC
Actor and right-wing activist Laurence Fox has lost his High Court libel case after he was sued by former Stonewall trustee Simon Blake and drag queen Crystal. Fox tweeted on X, formerly known as Twitter, calling both Blake and Crystal “paedophiles” after they called him a racist.
High Court judge Mrs Justice Collins Rice determined that Fox’s labelling was “harmful, defamatory and baseless”.
Fox referred to Blake and Crystal with the defamatory label in an exchange over X in 2020 which was originally about the supermarket chain Sainsbury’s providing a safe space for Black employees during Black History Month. The right-wing commentator called for a boycott of the chain which prompted Blake and Cyrstal to call him a racist.
“Mr Fox’s labelling of Mr Blake and Mr Seymour [Crystal] as paedophiles was, on the evidence, probabilities and facts of this case, seriously harmful, defamatory and baseless,” Mrs Justice Collins Rice said.
“The law affords few defences to defamation of this sort. Mr Fox did not attempt to show these allegations were true, and he was not able to bring himself on the facts within the terms of any other defence recognised in law.”
Although Fox tried to countersue – stating that being referred to as a racist was a “reputation-destroying allegation” – his claims were dismissed yesterday (29 January).
Crystal posted a statement to X after the verdict. “I am incredibly relieved to have this outcome – a huge weight I’ve been carrying for over three years has just been lifted.”
“I want to say again that I took no joy in bringing this case, nor did I do so lightly. Mr Fox could have made this go away very early on with a meaningful apology and settlement.”
Crystal added: “I hope it will make some difference in the ongoing demonisation of queer people as ‘groomers’ or ‘dangerous’. This is a lesson: we will not take it.”
We won. #crystalwillsueyounow
— Crystal (@crystalwillseeu) January 29, 2024
In written evidence for the case, Crystal wrote that Fox’s tweet had caused “overwhelming and distressing” abuse to be directed at the star online. Blake, who is now chief executive of Mental Health First Aid England, said that Fox’s use of the defamatory label “paedophile” to refer to gay men was “a trope as old as the hills”.
The RuPaul Drag Race Star also posted to Instagram with the caption: “The G in LGBTQ+ stands for Get Her Jade.”
DIVA magazine celebrates 30 years in print in 2024. If you like what we do, then get behind LGBTQIA media and keep us going for another generation. Your support is invaluable.