Leading UK charity Islamic Relief has received a broadcast apology and substantial damages from GB News over false allegations broadcast on the channel and published on its website.
The complaint concerned allegations which had been made by an interviewee on GB News programme The Camilla Tominey Show, to the effect that Islamic Relief had funded terrorist groups in the Middle East and is part of a greater agenda promoting extremism and radicalisation.
In a statement in Open Court, read by Dominic Garner on behalf of Islamic Relief, the Court (Mr Justice Nicklin) heard that the allegation in question was, and is, completely untrue. Islamic Relief has never engaged in (or in any way facilitated) the sending of money to any terrorist group or entity. Nor is it part of or involved in the promotion of any agenda aside of its humanitarian mission. As the Court heard, Islamic Relief is a purely humanitarian organisation, which seeks to uphold the strictest standards in its project implementation, reporting and accountability.
GB News has removed the offending broadcast and associated publications from its website and social media platforms, undertaken not to repeat the false allegations complained of, broadcast a full apology, and agreed to pay substantial damages and costs.
A spokesperson for Islamic Relief said:
“We are very pleased that it has been possible to draw a line under this complaint. GB News gave a platform to serious allegations which are not only totally untrue but run contrary to the core principles on which we operate. Given that our own humanitarian workers have themselves been killed by terrorists, these allegations are particularly offensive and deeply troubling. They perpetuate disinformation that not only threatens the lives of our colleagues, but also our beneficiaries. Our focus is on delivering humanitarian relief to some of the world’s people most in need, and we have a rigorous approach to ensuring accountability throughout our charitable activities.”
Read the Statement in Open Court here
Read the apology here
Read the report by the Press Gazette here.
Islamic Relief was represented by Claire Gill and Dominic Garner.
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