Jacqui whacks shock jock crock

Libel letter still in post

By John Oates • Get more from this author

Posted in Government, 1st June 2009 11:01 GMT

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The Home Office will robustly defend itself against any legal action brought by US shock jock Michael Savage, real name Michael Weiner.

But it has yet to receive any mail from Savage's lawyers.

A spokeswoman for the Home Office said: "As the Home Secretary has already said, he was excluded for engaging in unacceptable behaviour by making comments that might provoke others to serious criminal acts and foster hatred that might lead to inter-community violence.

"Any legal proceedings would be robustly defended; we stand by our decision to exclude this individual. Coming to the UK is a privilege that we refuse to extend to those who abuse our standards and values to undermine our way of life.”

Savage is seeking £100,000 in damages, a personal apology from Jacqui Smith and "written undertaking from you and the Home Office not to repeat the allegations complained of and the payment of our client’s legal costs", according to the Mail on Sunday.

Savage told the tabloid he was living in fear and had to employ security guards "after being outrageously named on this list of terrorists and killers".

A spokeswoman for London lawyers Olswang LLP was unable to confirm it was representing Savage, and the Home Office said it had received queries from the press but no lawyer's letter.

Savage has of course threatened to sue before - there is a big difference between those who loudly threaten to sue and those who actually instruct lawyers. ®

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