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On November 7 one of the most important libel actions of the decade finally comes to court.

John Ware (BBC Panorama "Is Labour Anti-Semitic?") v Paddy French (Press Gang "Is The BBC Anti-Labour?")

A four day hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice will decide this landmark case.

BBC Panorama reporter John Ware is suing Press Gang editor Paddy French for damages of £50,000.

The case — nearly two years old — will cost more than three quarters of a million pounds.

Already nearly £90,000 has been raised from more than 1,200 supporters.

They include Roger Waters (Pink Floyd) who said the case is "fundamentally important."

Paddy French — an investigative journalist and television producer with more than 40 years experience (ITV, BBC, Channel 4 and the Sunday Times under Harold Evans) — added:

"This case provides a unique opportunity for the issue of anti-Semitism in Jeremy Corbyn's Labour Party to be explored in a forensic setting.

Was I (and Labour) right to criticise the July 2019 Panorama programme "Is Labour Anti-Semitic?" as a biased piece of rogue journalism?

Or was the BBC (and John Ware) right when they said the broadcast was made in compliance with the Corporation's Editorial Guidelines, rejecting accusations of bias or dishonesty?

My legal team, the solicitors Bindmans and barristers Hugh Tomlinson QC and Darryl Hutcheon of Matrix Chambers are confident I have a strong defence.

But I need more funds to guarantee the case will be heard.

I need your help to do so.

Many thanks for your support."

Paddy French, Editor, Press Gang

press-gang.org