Daily Tele to appeal Geoffrey Rush case
Newspaper will appeal ruling in Geoffrey Rush case, claiming that Justice Wigney was biased.
- Published by David Knox
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Nationwide News, publisher of the Daily Telegraph, will appeal the ruling in the high-profile defamation case, claiming the judge was biased.
In November 2017, the newspaper published front pages and articles alleging Rush behaved inappropriately towards a young actress during the Sydney Theatre Company’s 2015-16 production of King Lear.
Rush sued The Daily Telegraph and journalist Jonathon Moran following the article headlined “King Leer.”
Last month he was awarded $850,000 in initial damages over stories alleging he behaved inappropriately towards a colleague during a 2015-16 season of King Lear. But a figure for special damages is yet to be decided.
Justice Michael Wigney said the newspaper produced “recklessly irresponsible pieces of sensationalist journalism of the very worst kind”.
Damages for economic loss are due to be determined later this month, but the judge agreed Rush could expect 50% salary after a period of 12 months. Rush has been seeking $25 million in damages.
ABC reports The Daily Telegraph will appeal the decision on 16 grounds, including that Justice Wigney’s conduct “gave rise to an apprehension of bias”.
#BREAKING: Nationwide News have launched an appeal in the Geoffrey Rush defamation case. #TDE7 pic.twitter.com/Q6JIAx1z6U
— The Daily Edition (@DailyEditionOn7) May 6, 2019