PTI activist Shayan Ali’s defamation case against TV executives heads to UK High Court trial

LONDON: A defamation claim filed by British-Pakistani Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) activist Shayan Ali against the heads of a private television channel is moving towards trial in the High Court in London, with a key hearing due within days, according to court records.

The case relates to a broadcast aired on April 2, 2022, in which the channel alleged that Shayan had tried to attack former prime minister Nawaz Sharif outside the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) office near Hyde Park. The programme also alleged that he threw a mobile phone that struck and injured a security guard.

Shayan has denied the allegations throughout. He says he neither attacked Nawaz Sharif nor threw his phone, and that he was filming outside the PML-N office when the incident took place. No arrest was made and he was not charged over the alleged episode.

Ofcom ruling cited in claim

Shayan later lodged a complaint with Ofcom, the UK broadcasting regulator, which ruled in his favour. The regulator’s findings cited that the broadcaster failed to take reasonable care to ensure that material facts were not presented, disregarded or omitted in a way that was unfair to him.

Ofcom also found that the channel had not shown that it gave Shayan a timely and appropriate chance to answer the serious allegation that he had attempted to attack Nawaz Sharif and injured a security guard. The regulator concluded that he had been treated unfairly in the programme as aired.

The television report had said Nawaz Sharif was leaving the party’s temporary headquarters near Hyde Park when Shayan, who it claimed was already there as part of a plan, behaved improperly and attempted to approach him. It further alleged that when security personnel intervened, Shayan became aggressive and threw his phone towards Nawaz Sharif, hitting a guard on the forehead and causing injury, after which Nawaz Sharif was hurried into his vehicle and the injured guard was taken to hospital.

Proceedings continue in High Court

Shayan argues that the broadcast presented the allegations as proven facts and depicted him as a criminal, which he says seriously harmed his reputation among audiences in the United Kingdom, Pakistan and elsewhere. He is seeking nearly £100,000 in damages and contends that the broadcaster aired grave defamatory allegations without giving him a proper opportunity to respond.

Court documents indicate that the matter is expected to require a trial of at least one week. A judge is due to consider the future conduct and progress of the case at an upcoming hearing. The High Court has not yet ruled on liability or on the substantive claims advanced by either side.

Shayan is being represented by Spencer Williams and Mughal, while the television channel is represented by Hemingways Solicitors. The broadcaster has submitted a defence and is contesting the claim.

A lawyer for the channel confirmed that the proceedings remain active.

“I can confirm that the legal proceedings are continuing in the High Court. In the circumstances, it would be inappropriate to comment any further. When the claim has concluded we would be happy to confirm the outcome to you.”

Shayan’s lawyer also declined detailed comment because the matter is before the court. “As the matter is before the High Court, we cannot comment further but are confident that justice will prevail.”