Former Rotherham councillor ordered to pay £80,000 in libel action compensation

Former Rotherham councillor Caven Vines has to pay £40,000 to two MPs after losing a libel case.
Caven VinesCaven Vines
Caven Vines

The former Ukip councillor, who lost his seat in Rawmarsh last month, was sued by Rotherham MPs Sir Kevin Barron and John Healey over remarks he made about them and the child sexual exploitation scandal in the town.

Sir Kevin, MP for Rother Valley and Mr Healey, who represents Wentworth and Dearne, took action over a live Sky News interview Mr Vines took part in last year.

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Mr Justice Warby, sitting at London's High Court, said that the 'offensive and wrong' allegation that the MPs knew for years most of what was going on by way of large-scale sexual abuse - and let it go on despite such knowledge - had caused them 'real anger and distress'.

He said that an appropriate award to vindicate their reputations and compensate them for the harm done was £40,000 each.

Mr Vines, who plans to appeal and says he is facing bankruptcy, was also ordered to pay £30,000 in costs.