Rachel Riley loses latest libel battle with Corbyn-supporting blogger

Jewish countdown presenter loses bid after suing Mike Sivier, who runs website Vox Political

Television presenter Rachel Riley has lost the latest round of a libel battle with a political blogger and Jeremy Corbyn supporter over an article which alleged that she engaged in a “campaign of online abuse and harassment” against a teenager on Twitter.

Ms Riley, 35, the numbers expert on the Channel 4 show Countdown, sued Mike Sivier after he published an article on his website Vox Political in January 2019 with the headline: “Serial abuser Rachel Riley to receive ‘extra protection’ – on grounds that she is receiving abuse”.

Mr Sivier defended what he had published, arguing that it was “substantially true”, honest opinion, and a matter of public interest.