Tory minister value taxpayers £15,000 in defamation case as she faces stop calls
Taxpayers have been left to foot a £15,000 authorized invoice after Tory Minister Michelle Donelan falsely accused an instructional of supporting Hamas.
The Science and Technology Secretary shared a grovelling apology to Professor Kate Sang on Tuesday after falsely suggesting the educational had expressed sympathy for Hamas. Retracting the feedback, Ms Donelan stated she had deleted her unique submit on Twitter/X.
Labour stated Ms Donelan needs to be “embarrassed” and known as for her to pay the invoice herself, whereas the University College Union (UCU) stated Ms Donelan ought to resign and accused the minister of “outrageous attack on academic freedom”.
The £15,000 of taxpayers’ money may have as an alternative funded 5,928 free faculty meals or 357 GP appointments, in accordance with evaluation by the Lib Dems. The occasion demanded she choose up the tab and known as on Rishi Sunak to dock her pay if she refuses to take action.
In October final yr Ms Donelan shared a letter on Twitter/X suggesting Prof Sang had expressed sympathy for Hamas after its assault on Israel. The minister had tweeted a letter she had written to UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) in October, expressing “disgust and outrage” that Prof Sang and one other educational, Dr Kamna Patel, had “shared extremist views” and, in Prof Sang’s case, expressed sympathy for the terrorist group after the October 7 assaults in Israel.
Both lecturers had not too long ago been appointed to UKRI’s advisory group on equality, range and inclusion and Ms Donelan stated they need to be faraway from their posts. Prof Sang stated: “I am delighted that this matter has now concluded, but very disturbed by the way in which Michelle Donelan and UKRI behaved.
“Had they requested me at first, I’d have defined the true place. Instead, Michelle Donelan made an affordable political level at my expense and brought on critical harm to my fame. I suggest to donate a part of the damages she has paid to a charity.”
Shadow Science, Innovation and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said she should pay the bill out of her own pocket.
He said: “It is outrageous that £15,000 of taxpayers money has been spent on the Science Secretary calling a scientist a terrorist sympathiser on social media, without any evidence at all. Michelle Donelan should be embarrassed, she should apologise, and she should repay the full amount back to the taxpayer. Her conduct falls so far below that expected of a minister.
“It is emblematic of this Tory government’s arrogance and recklessness that a Minister is forcing the taxpayer to pick up the legal bill for hurling abuse at a scientist online.”
Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader Daisy Cooper said: “If Michelle Donelan had a shred of integrity left, she would pay for this bill out of her own pocket instead of asking taxpayers to pick up the tab. If she refuses to do so, Rishi Sunak should dock her pay.
“This news will come as a kick in the teeth to people who are seeing their finances clobbered by the cost of living crisis while local health services are on their knees. This is yet another scandal that proves it’s time to kick this sleaze-ridden Conservative Government out of office for good.”
A DSIT spokesman said: “There is an established precedent under multiple administrations that Ministers are provided with legal support and representation where matters relate to their conduct and responsibilities as a Minister, as was the case here.
“The Secretary of State received the appropriate advice from relevant officials at all times. A sum of £15,000 was paid without admitting any liability. This approach is intended to reduce the overall costs to the taxpayer that could result from protracted legal action, no matter what the result would have been.”
In an earlier statement, Ms Donelan said: “I quoted a tweet from Professor Sang which appeared to me to specific disagreement with the Government’s crackdown on Hamas help within the UK and I prompt she was expressing sympathy and help for Hamas”. The senior minister added: “I absolutely settle for that she isn’t an extremist, a supporter of Hamas or some other proscribed organisation and I observe that an unbiased investigation has concluded that there isn’t any proof that she is.”
