The John Major files: the curious case of John Major's 'mistress'

This is the story of how, in 1993, the Prime Minister, John Major, used the full weight of Britain's draconian libel laws against the New Statesman magazine, bringing it to the verge of bankruptcy -- even though the case never came to court. The original and subsequent articles are reproduced here, together with previously unpublished background information. More material will be added as I find the time.

Introduction (June 2004)

The curious case of John Major's 'mistress' (New Statesman, 29 January 1993)

The article as it appeared in the New Statesman
Cover
First page
Second page
Third page

Comment at the time

Would you sue your paper boy? (New Statesman, 12 March 1993)

The curious case of John Major's libel action (New Statesman, 16 July 1993)

John Major: liar, cheat, hypocrite (Tribune, 11 October 2002)