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McSorley v Masterson

Irish Law Times Reports (Digests) Cited in Precedent Map Related
Vincent
JurisdictionNorthern Ireland
Judgment Date01 January 1945
Date01 January 1945
CourtKing's Bench Division (Northern Ireland)
(K.B.D., N.I.),
McSorley
and
Masterson

Privilege - Alleged slander in statement to official of Ministry of Food -Objection by Ministry to disclosure of statement -Public interest and private litigation - Conclusiveness of Minister's objection

It was alleged that M. in an interview with McK. an official of the Ministry of Food concerning the loss of a quantity of tea slandered McS., one of M's employees. M. was prosecuted at PettySessions for a number of offences against the Food Regulations and at the hearing McK.gave evidence of what took place at the interview when the alleged slander had been uttered. When it was sought to call McK. to give evidence as to the interview at the hearing of the slander action objection was taken by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food on the ground that it was not in the public interest that the statement should be produced or oral evidence given in respect of it and a certificate from the Parliamentary Secretary to that effect was produced. The Judge then directed that the political head of the Ministry should be informed that the only evidence sought was as to the interview and that it appeared that this evidence had already been disclosed in public proceedings instituted by the Ministry. A further certificate from the...

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