Defamation action filed against Colin Craig

Taxpayers’ Union executive director Jordan Williams has responded to threats of defamation proceedings by filing his own defamation suit against former Conservative Party leader Colin Craig.

The claim, filed in the High Court at Auckland, seeks general damages of $250,000 and punitive damages of $50,000 in relation to Mr Craig’s statements at a media conference last month.

It also seeks general damages of $500,000 and punitive damages of $100,000 in relation to a leaflet that was subsequently delivered to mailboxes across New Zealand.

Conservative Party officers Nathanial Heslop, Kevin Stitt and Angela Storr are also named in Mr Williams’ claim.

The leaflet, titled Dirty Politics and Hidden Agendas, alleged Mr Williams – as well as Whaleoil blogger Cameron Slater and Conservative Party board member John Stringer – had embarked on a “campaign of defamatory lies” to undermine Mr Craig’s public standing.

Mr Craig has previously said he will seek $300,000 in damages against Mr Williams, $600,000 from Mr Stringer and $650,000 from Mr Slater, and collectively labelled the threesome "the dirty politics brigade."

He told NBR Radio he was “entirely serious,” about his legal action.

“[I] don’t make idle threats and [I] don’t waste people’s time unless [I’m] serious about something,” he said.

Over two weeks ago Mr Craig said the three men could expect formal letters from his legal team within the next 48 hours, but Mr Williams says he has yet to receive a formal claim from Mr Craig.

Mr Williams says he has made it extremely clear to Mr Craig that he has not made up any allegations or fabricated material, nor conspired to do the same with Messrs Slater and Stringer.

"Reputation is important to me so I take very seriously any accusations that I have acted improperly or dishonestly. Ongoing public smears left unchallenged can gain currency even if they have low credibility," he says.

Mr Williams says he has instructed defamation specialists Peter McKnight and Ali Romanos to act for him in these proceedings.

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