Shooting, moi?
Sir: We act for Cherie Blair.
We are instructed with regard to an article… The Spectator’s Notes by Charles Moore (28 November). It alleged that our client attended a shooting party at Lord Rothschild’s house in Buckinghamshire with ‘Saif Al-Islam Gaddafi, son of the Libyan dictator, and the man who escorted the Lockerbie bomber, Al Megrahi, home to a hero’s welcome in Libya in August.’
Plainly, this article is highly defamatory of our client as, in suggesting our client was at this shooting party with Saif Al-Islam Gaddaffi [sic], you have alleged that our client was, socialising or ‘rubbing shoulders with’ an individual who, in your words, is ‘a member of the family responsible for the biggest terrorist atrocity ever committed against British citizens.’
Contrary to what you suggest, our client was not present at the shooting party and was not at Lord Rothschild’s house at any time whilst Saif Al-Islam Gaddafi was in attendance. Indeed, our client has never attended a shooting party in any location nor has she ever met Saif Al-Islam Gaddafi.
In light of our client’s well known position as a leading human rights lawyer and also being married to the UN’s special envoy to the Middle East, the suggestion and direct inference you make is clearly very damaging to her professional and personal reputation. The allegation you made has caused considerable upset and embarrassment for her.
If you had contacted our client before publishing the article, she could have informed you that she had not been present at the shooting party attended by Saif Al-Islam Gaddafi, and had only dined with members of the Rothschild family.
Within 14 days, we require your confirmation that you will agree to the following:
1.
Comments
Join the debate for just £1 a month
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for £3.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just £1 a monthAlready a subscriber? Log in