Alex Hilton

Deranged political nymphomaniac (maybe necrophiliac? - given the state of the four political parties she's belonged to) Johanna Kaschke thrashes back into frame this and next month as she pursues her libel actions against the excellent Dave Osler, and Alex Hilton, and John Gray.

Says Dave on his blog: 

'LONGSTANDING readers may remember that I am facing libel action from Tower Hamlets Tory activist Johanna Kaschke following a post about her on this blog in 2007. She is also suing two other Labour Party members, Alex Hilton and John Gray, over related issues.

'Alex, of course, is prospective parliamentary candidate for Chelsea & Fulham, surely an easy peasy Labour gain in the current political climate. Bankruptcy, which will result for all three of us if Ms Kaschkde prevails, will disqualify him from becoming an MP.

'I spent all day yesterday in the High Court, listening to Alex's appeal that an application for summary judgement be upheld, and I'm just about to head off for a second helping. His case is being argued on a point of law, rather than the underlying merits of the matter. The ruling will probably come about lunch time.

'Meanwhile, I'm on for a four-day jury trial, which will cost the taxpayers tens of thousands of pounds, and is set to commence on November 23. 'Overtly Tory' blogger Iain Dale has agreed in principle to appear as an expert witness on my behalf, which should underline that this is more than simply a party political spat.

'The uncontested facts here are that Ms Kaschke, as a student and member of the centre-left SPD in her native West Germany in the 1970s, helped to organise a benefit concert for Rote Hilfe, an organisation officially designated 'left-extremist' by the state; the gig was designed to raise funds for the legal fees of Baader-Meinhof Gang suspects; that she was herself subsequently arrested on suspicion of terrorism; and that she spent several months on remand, after which she was released and compensated for unfair imprisonment.

'It is further uncontested that Ms Kaschke nominated herself as Labour candidate for Bethnal Green & Bow in 2007; that she received just one vote; that shortly thereafter she defected to George Galloway's Respect party; shortly after that, she joined an as-yet-unspecified Communist Party; and that shortly after that, she became a Conservative.

'She was, in other words, a member of four political parties in 12 months. Ms Kaschke contends that simply listing her affiliations, entirely accurately, denies her the right to freedom of association under the European Convention on Human Rights.

'Interestingly, the jury will also be asked to rule on whether or not it is libellous to call somebody 'one cherry short of a Schwarzwalderkirschtorte'. Not my words, but those of a reader, left in the comments box. If I lose on that point, the consequences for internet freedom of speech are clearly considerable.'

Indeed they are.

All the best, Dave - we watch with great interest. We have complete confidence in you and your work.

Full marks to Iain Dale, as well.

Surely Johanna's more than one cherry short...?

Right - sure you've all heard about the legal trouble the great Dave Osler and Alex Hilton and John Gray are having with some once leftist-now rightist loon by name of Johanna Kaschke who takes issue with free speech.

If you haven't, below is a list of links - to Dave's post explaining his trouble and laying out his case, and to the many others who are behind him, Alex and John.

Lovin' this by Guido btw, much as it pains me to say it: 'Johanna Kaschke. Can I just say that Johanna Kaschke is definitely 'one cherry short of a Schwarzwalderkirschtorte'.

'Last year she claimed to be "a member of the GMB Union, the Respect Party, the Communist Party", this year she is a member of the Conservative Party. Blue clearly is the new red... Mockery is not actionable Kaschke, so don't bother sending a writ... '

Magnificent. Probably not worth sending a writ here either, Jo. Ain't much cash floating round this end, so we'll have to settle in wine gums or something.

Now - will big Jo be able to sue google for delivering the blogsearch results we've reported here? Could be great test case stuff:

Dave Osler - his original post and the response he got. 

Our great man at Shiraz Socialist - all the way bro and here's a bit more from him

Letters from a Tory (am kind of a new fan)

Iain Dale can't link directly to his post on Alex Hilton but if you scroll for long enough you'll find it.

Paul Staines - great post, man. LOL

Ministry of Truth (Unity has several posts now)

Matt Wardman

Socialist Unity

Rachel of North London - superb

Justin at Chicken Yoghurt

Marvellous stuff from septicisle

Why post this? - I feel that Dave Osler was making fair comment in his original post, and offered the right of reply.

Our blogging freedom relies on us being able to comment freely without the odd person here and there being able to terrify the rest with writs. Others have made filthy comments about me and my past across the web, and on the web those comments will stay. I demand the freedom to comment freely, and understand that others must have that right as well. One individual can't be allowed to terrify the rest in this way.

It's also important to note that the integrity of free-posting sites (I write for a couple of sites to which contributors and commentators upload directly, and read hundreds of others, written by people of all political hues) suffers a fatal blow in a climate of fear. One of the reasons that people choose to write regularly online is because they wish to pursue a freedom to discuss and debate that is in scare supply elsewhere. Anyone who challenges that should be challenged. It really is that simple.