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19/10/2006
London mayor wins court appeal
London Mayor Ken Livingstone has won a high court appeal relating to comments he made to a Jewish reporter, in February 2005, comparing him to a concentration camp guard.
The Adjudication Panel for England found Mr Livingstone guilty of making “insensitive and offensive” comments to Evening Standard journalist Oliver Finegold, and bringing his office into disrepute.
Judge Mr Justice Andrew Collins today ruled against the original findings.
He said that although he should have apologised for the “unnecessarily offensive” and “indefensible” comments, the mayor had the right to freedom of speech, and express those views within the law “as forcibly as he thought fit.”
He continued: “Surprising as it may perhaps appear to some, the right of freedom of speech does extend to abuse.”
The judge called the original decision to suspend Livingstone “clearly wrong”, and stressed the panel had not made “the real distinction between the man and the office.”
(JM)
The Adjudication Panel for England found Mr Livingstone guilty of making “insensitive and offensive” comments to Evening Standard journalist Oliver Finegold, and bringing his office into disrepute.
Judge Mr Justice Andrew Collins today ruled against the original findings.
He said that although he should have apologised for the “unnecessarily offensive” and “indefensible” comments, the mayor had the right to freedom of speech, and express those views within the law “as forcibly as he thought fit.”
He continued: “Surprising as it may perhaps appear to some, the right of freedom of speech does extend to abuse.”
The judge called the original decision to suspend Livingstone “clearly wrong”, and stressed the panel had not made “the real distinction between the man and the office.”
(JM)
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14 February 2005
Livingstone refuses to apologise for 'Nazi' slur
London Mayor Ken Livingstone has rejected a call from the London Assembly to apologise for comparing an Evening Standard reporter with a concentration camp guard.
Livingstone refuses to apologise for 'Nazi' slur
London Mayor Ken Livingstone has rejected a call from the London Assembly to apologise for comparing an Evening Standard reporter with a concentration camp guard.
24 February 2006
Livingstone suspended for Nazi remark
London Mayor Ken Livingstone has suspended for four weeks after he was found guilty of bringing his office into disrepute for comparing a Jewish journalist to a Nazi concentration camp guard.
Livingstone suspended for Nazi remark
London Mayor Ken Livingstone has suspended for four weeks after he was found guilty of bringing his office into disrepute for comparing a Jewish journalist to a Nazi concentration camp guard.
24 September 2010
Livingstone Wins Nomination
Ken Livingstone has polled 68.8% of the votes to win Labour's nomination for the 2012 London mayoral election. Mr Livingstone, who served two terms as London mayor between 2000 and 2008, defeated former MP Oona King in the election. He will now run against Conservative representative Boris Johnson.
Livingstone Wins Nomination
Ken Livingstone has polled 68.8% of the votes to win Labour's nomination for the 2012 London mayoral election. Mr Livingstone, who served two terms as London mayor between 2000 and 2008, defeated former MP Oona King in the election. He will now run against Conservative representative Boris Johnson.
19 March 2009
Livingstone To Mount Bid For Return To Mayor Post
Former London Lord Mayor Ken Livingstone is to mount a bid to return to his old post in 2012, he has confirmed. Mr Livingstone said he would run as an Independent nominee if Labour did not select him as a candidate.
Livingstone To Mount Bid For Return To Mayor Post
Former London Lord Mayor Ken Livingstone is to mount a bid to return to his old post in 2012, he has confirmed. Mr Livingstone said he would run as an Independent nominee if Labour did not select him as a candidate.
31 March 2008
Cameron Supports Johnson In Mayoral Race
Race frontrunner Boris Johnson - who is expected to beat rival Ken Livingstone for the prestigious role of Mayor of London - has been enjoying some high level support. The Tory candidate is being backed by party Leader David Cameron who said that Mr Johnson is "twice as charismatic and energetic" as his rival Livingstone.
Cameron Supports Johnson In Mayoral Race
Race frontrunner Boris Johnson - who is expected to beat rival Ken Livingstone for the prestigious role of Mayor of London - has been enjoying some high level support. The Tory candidate is being backed by party Leader David Cameron who said that Mr Johnson is "twice as charismatic and energetic" as his rival Livingstone.
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