SLANDER ACTION

Southland Times, Issue 22491, 28 January 1935, Page 7

SLANDER ACTION

SIR JOHN SIMON

CASE WITHDRAWN

APOLOGY TENDERED

(British Official Wireless.) Rugby, January 25. A settlement of the slander action, in which Sir John Simon was plaintiff, was announced to the Lord Chief Justice in the King’s Bench Division. The defendant was a Methodist minister , (the Rev. Whitaker Bond), and tire , words complained of were uttered in a speech that he delivered at Dereham, 'in which he said: “What is the cause of warfare? It is your legislators—men in your Cabinet—for their money is invested in armament firms. They are prepared to make money out of warfare and bloodshed. The reason why Sir John Simon has been running down the peace ballot promoted by the League of Nations Union is because his money is invested in armament firms.” Counsel for Sir John Simon said it was a matter of great regret that he felt compelled to bring the action. I hope it is scarcely necessary to say that the whole of these words are absolutely and utterly untrue. Sir John Simon does not possess one single investment in one single armament company, and the dreadful allegation that his actions have at all been influenced by his investments is ridiculously and utterly false. In fairness to the defendant, Sir John Simon desires me to say that Mr Bond is not the originator or the first disseminator of this foul calumny. For more than two years past in this country, on the Continent, and in the United States there have been hints and innuendoes, and veiled suggestions which Sir John has done his utmost to combat by correspondence and other means, but nothing had arisen which gave him the opportunity of definite legal action being taken, and Sir John Simon is ready to believe that the defendant spoke, as he assures him he did, impromptu at that meeting what was the effect of those and other poisonous writings upon his mind.” Counsel put in a signed statement bv the defendant in which he said: ‘ I realize the serious accusation that I made, and I deeply regret it. I am convinced that it is entirely untrue, and how wholly unjustified the charge was. I tender my apologies to Sir John Simon. In forgoing any claim to damages, Sir John Simon has treated me with great consideration, and I express my regret for the pain and expense which my ill-considered and unwarranted statement has caused him.” The record of the case was withdrawn by consent.