Nigel Farage has agreed to withdraw a statement that Hope not Hate is a “violent and undemocratic” organisation after a libel action.
Hope not Hate took action against the former UKIP leader for comments on his LBC radio show on 20 December last year, demanding £100,000 in damages as well as an apology.
Responding to a Twitter exchange with Jo Cox’s widower, Brendan Cox, Farage said: “Yes, well of course he would know more about extremists than me, Mr Cox. He backs organisations like Hope Not Hate, who masquerade as being lovely and peaceful, but actually pursue violent and very undemocratic means.”
The campaign group, which has a charitable arm, sued Farage for libel and crowdfunded its legal action. It received more than 16,000 donations.
Farage has now agreed to withdraw his statement.
In a statement filed in the High Court yesterday, Farage said: “Having now considered the position further I am happy to acknowledge that Hope not Hate does not tolerate or pursue violent or undemocratic behaviour.”
Farage has also agreed that he will not repeat the claim that Hope not Hate is a violent and undemocratic organisation or encourage anyone else to do the same in his name.
Nick Lowles, chief executive of Hope not Hate, said: “I cannot understate how big a victory this was for us. Hope not Hate is an avowedly peaceful organisation and Farage’s false claims were deeply damaging to the vital work we do bringing communities together across cultural and religious divides.”
Farage responds
But Farage has denied that Hope not Hate won its case.
“Their statement today is thoroughly disingenuous,” he said. “This is a case Hope not Hate should never have brought and which has been a complete waste of their donors’ money.
“Despite them demanding up to £100,000 in damages I have not paid them a penny; they demanded an apology that I have not given; and they demanded an undertaking to the court which they did not get.”
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