Libel case MP rejected by party

LONDON - David Ashby, the British Conservative MP, who lost a high profile libel case, last night failed to win selection by …

LONDON - David Ashby, the British Conservative MP, who lost a high profile libel case, last night failed to win selection by his Leicestershire North constituency association to stand at the next election.

Asked if he regretted taking the action against the Sunday Times, he said: "My pocket regrets it. I am shod of a bob or two." In December last year, he lost the case against the newspaper, which claimed he was homosexual and had shared a double bed with another man on a holiday in Goa. Mr Ashby, a barrister, was left facing legal bills of more than £400,000.

  • Join The Irish Times on WhatsApp and stay up to date

  • Sign up for push alerts to get the best breaking news, analysis and comment delivered directly to your phone

  • Listen to In The News podcast daily for a deep dive on the stories that matter