SLANDER CASE.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXI, Issue 15, 19 January 1911, Page 7

SLANDER CASE.

. « . THE WAYS OF SOCIETY. By Telegraph. — Press Association. — Copyright. LONDON, 18th January. In the slander action brought by ' Mrs. Horace West against her father-in-law. Sir Algernon West. P. 0., plaintiff alleging that defendant had slanderously informed Viscount Althorpe, and others, that she was responsible for the separation from her husband owing to her hopeless ■extravagance, Mrs. Asquith testified that nothing Sir Algernon Wesl said had affected the question of witness zeeeiviug the plaintiff. Mr. Gill, for defendant : Have you ever heard cf a lady being excluded from society because of extravagance? Mrs. Asquith : Never ! I should say it was a passport into society. (Laughter.) The witness added that plaintiff had never been to her house from th*> standpoint of entertainment. She came once to see Mrs. Asquith on business. After plaintiff's evidence, which was intended to show how she had been boycotted, was given, Mr. Gill, K.C., argued that thers was no case to go to the jury. Mr. Justice Darling, however, held that the case must proceed. VERDICT .FOE PLAINTIFF. SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGES. (Received January 19, 8.10 a.m.) LONDON, 18th January. In the slander case no evidence was called for the defence. The jury found that Sir Algernon West had spoken to the Lord Chamberlain, and that this prevented the plaintiff receiving Court invitations until King Edward intervened. The damages were fixed at £1000 and a further £250 was awarded plaintiff because defendant had also slandered her to Lady Grove.