View all newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletters

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

  1. Media Law
July 19, 2013

Teachers’ union president sues Sunday Times over ‘ludicrous’ claims made by ‘aggrieved people’

By William Turvill

The president of a teaching union is suing The Sunday Times over an article referring to "ludicrous" claims he was involved in an underhand deal at his North London school.

The article claimed Hank Roberts, who has since become president of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers, had persuaded Furness Primary School to give a pay rise to a union representative.

In an article on 29 April 2012, the paper also reported claims that, in return, he had helped get rid of two teachers from another school.

Included in the article, which is not available online, were strong denials from Roberts and Brent Council, who described the claims as “total fabrication by aggrieved people”.

The story’s opening sentence read: “One of the country’s most prominent teachers’ leaders has denied claims that he persuaded a school to give a pay rise to a union representative – and helped it get rid of two teachers in return.”

It also featured denials by the council and Roberts, who described the guidance referred to as “straightforward union advice”.

It reported that Roberts had “angrily rejected the claims”, and reported him as saying the claims were “ludicrous – the idea that I am saying give our rep an increase and sack a member, come on, it is beyond reason… it is from aggrieved people trying to sling mud without any basis”.

Content from our partners
MHP Group's 30 To Watch awards for young journalists open for entries
How PA Media is helping newspapers make the digital transition
Publishing on the open web is broken, how generative AI could help fix it

On 25 April this year, just less than a year after print publication, Roberts issued a libel claim for up to £5,000.

In a claim form seen by Press Gazette, Roberts claims his reputation was “seriously damaged” and that the article caused him to suffer “considerable hurt, distress and embarrassment”.

He also claimed that the paper had not given a “substantive response” to a letter of claim dated 20 July until 5 September 2012.

Roberts also highlighted the fact that he had told the paper the allegation was false.

The claim form said: “The failure of [The Sunday Times] to apologise to [Roberts] for having made the allegation or to take any steps whatsoever in order to mitigate the harm to [Roberts’] reputation. This has only served to continue to further exacerbate the substantial injury to his feelings.”

The Sunday Times declined to comment.

Topics in this article :

Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog

Select and enter your email address Weekly insight into the big strategic issues affecting the future of the news industry. Essential reading for media leaders every Thursday. Your morning brew of news about the world of news from Press Gazette and elsewhere in the media. Sent at around 10am UK time. Our weekly does of strategic insight about the future of news media aimed at US readers. A fortnightly update from the front-line of news and advertising. Aimed at marketers and those involved in the advertising industry.
  • Business owner/co-owner
  • CEO
  • COO
  • CFO
  • CTO
  • Chairperson
  • Non-Exec Director
  • Other C-Suite
  • Managing Director
  • President/Partner
  • Senior Executive/SVP or Corporate VP or equivalent
  • Director or equivalent
  • Group or Senior Manager
  • Head of Department/Function
  • Manager
  • Non-manager
  • Retired
  • Other
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
Thank you

Thanks for subscribing.

Websites in our network