Ammanford News
Council chief sue over blog post
8:50am Thursday 9th February 2012
THE chief executive of Carmarthenshire county council is counter-suing blogger Jacqui Thompson, it has emerged.
Mark James will benefit from a change to the authority’s constitution, made in 2008, that allows council funds to be used in defamation cases.
Mrs Thompson was arrested outside the council chamber last summer after officials objected to her filming a meeting on her mobile phone.
She subsequently issued a libel writ against Mr James alleging that comments he posted on a blog were libellous.
Now it has been disclosed that – in addition to a defence filed by the council and Mr James – the chief executive has himself issued a libel writ against Mrs Thompson, alleging she has libelled him in comments on her blog entitled Carmarthenshire Planning Problems.
In a statement the council said: “It is confirmed that defamation proceedings have been brought against Carmarthenshire county council and its chief executive by Mrs Jacqui Thompson and, based on legal advice, that action is being defended.
“The executive board considered a report recommending the granting of an indemnity to an officer.
“It was unanimously resolved that the indemnity be granted due to the exceptional circumstances involved.
“Following legal advice, Mr James is counter-suing as well as defending.”
Giving her reaction, Mrs Thompson said: “I think it’s outrageous that taxpayers’ money is being used to allow Mr James to sue me for libel.”