Brexiter James Dyson has been in the high court after he has brought a libel trial with the Daily Mirror.
Brexit
Sir James Dyson publicly supported Brexit.
He was a prominent business figure who advocated for the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union.
Dyson expressed his views on Brexit during the 2016 referendum campaign and continued to support the decision in subsequent interviews.
One of the notable aspects of Dyson’s stance was his belief that leaving the EU would provide the UK with the opportunity to establish its trade relationships and regulatory framework independently.
After the Brexit referendum in 2016, he spoke about the importance of embracing the freedom to negotiate trade deals with countries outside the European Union.
Hurtful
The businessman has said that his reputation has been ‘severley damaged’ after an article mentioned him.
In a written statement to the court, Dyson described a Daily Mirror article published last year as a “personal attack on all that I have done and achieved in my lifetime” and said it was “highly distressing and hurtful”.
The article was published in January 2022.
Brexiter James Dyson
In the article, journalist Brian Reade referred to Dyson as “the vacuum-cleaner tycoon who championed Vote Leave due to the economic opportunities it would bring to British industry before moving his global head office to Singapore”.
The journalist continued: “Kids, talk the talk but then screw your country and if anyone complains, tell them to suck it up.”
Sir James subsequently brought a claim against MGN for libel, describing the allegations in the article as a “vicious and vitriolic” personal attack.
MGN is defending the claim, including on the basis of honest opinion.
Singapore
During the second day of his cross-examination, Sir James was asked about the January 2019 announcement that the Dyson company would be establishing a global headquarters in Singapore.
