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Yorkshire councillor who tweeted fake image of Jeremy Corbyn ordered to pay ‘substantial damages’
Paul Nickerson has agreed to pay substantial damages and legal costs to Jeremy Corbyn regarding a false defamatory statement he tweeted out on November 15 2021
A Yorkshire councillor who tweeted a fake image of Jeremy Corbyn laying a wreath at the Liverpool bomb site has been ordered to pay 'substantial damages' after being summoned on charges of libel.
Councillor Paul Nickerson of East Riding, Yorkshirem tweeted a false defamatory statement on 15 November 2021, alongside a photoshopped image.East Riding Council,
The offensive tweet, which has since been deleted, included a fake photograph of Mr Corbyn laying a poppy wreath at the site of a burning taxi outside Liverpool Women’s Hospital, where a terror attack had taken place on Remembrance Sunday killing a suicide bomber and injuring others.
He has now been ordered by a judge to pay 'substantial damages and legal costs' to the former Labour leader.
Mr Nickerson has also released a tweet and an apology to Mr Corbyn, acknowledging his responsibility for the "false defamatory statement".
In the apology, he said: "the false photograph, captioned by the word “unsurprisingly”, gave the completely untrue impression that Jeremy Corbyn supports terrorist violence including suicide bombings, which without any hesitation I wholly accept he does not.
"Without reservation I fully withdraw any suggestion or inference that Jeremy Corbyn is a supporter of terrorist violence.
"The tweet was wrong and I retract it. I unreservedly and sincerely apologise to Mr Corbyn for the hurt and distress that has been caused to him by the tweet. I entirely accept that the posting of the message the day after Remembrance Sunday aggravated the hurtful nature of the defamatory tweet.
"Accordingly, I have agreed to pay Mr Corbyn substantial damages, which he is donating to charity, and his legal costs.“
Mr Corbyn instructed his solicitor, Martin Howe of Howe + Co, to bring legal proceedings for libel.
Commenting on the swift settlement of his legal case, Jeremy Corbyn said: “The bomb attack on Liverpool Women’s Hospital on Remembrance Sunday was a horrific crime, which could have killed or maimed countless victims, including new mothers and their babies.
"Councillor Paul Nickerson’s photoshopped Twitter post about me failed to understand the seriousness of the threat and did a disservice to all those affected by the attack and their loved ones.
"So I welcome his decision to apologise for his defamatory post, to agree not to repeat the tweet which he has deleted and to pay substantial damages and legal costs."
"This substantial settlement will be used to support charities that are close to my heart: including one in Liverpool and one in my constituency."
Feature image - Garry Knight / Flickr
UK News
EasyJet is paying for passports for newborn babies to help families take their first holidays
EasyJet has announced a new scheme where the airline will cover the cost of a baby’s first passport, allowing young families to take those memorable first holidays.
The company has announced that it will pay for a child’s passport (£66.50) when parents book an EasyJet holiday, making it a little easier to start those travel adventures sooner.
Research conducted by the airline and easyJet Holidays has found that 75% of parents agree the move would make a holiday with a baby feel a bit more affordable.
Their surveys also found that four in five parents believe a baby’s first holiday is a landmark family moment, and more than half called it one of their proudest parenting milestones.
But parents also said that they needed an average of four attempts to get an approved passport photo of their baby (have you tried making a newborn follow instructions…?).
easyJet holidays has reported – even this early in the year – a 10% increase in infants travelling this year compared to 2025.
And now, the thought of a holiday with your newborn is more tempting than ever, with the offer to get a free passport for your baby from easyJet.
To claim it, and save £66.50, you can use the code FIRSTPASSPORT until 26 November – find out more HERE.
easyJet Captain Kate West, said: “We carry millions of families across Europe every year, and we know that travelling with a baby brings a whole series of exciting firsts.
“We want to make travel as easy and accessible as possible for everyone, including young families, so they can enjoy all the experiences and memories that travel can bring.
“We hope that covering the cost of a baby’s first passport goes a small way towards making that first family adventure a little easier and gives our youngest travellers a warm welcome to the world.”
Stuart Wright, Customer Director at easyJet holidays, said: “Travel has a unique way of bringing families together, and a baby’s very first holiday is often one of those moments parents remember for years to come.
“By covering the cost of a baby’s first passport, we’re helping more families start making those memories that little bit sooner.”
Sheffield shortlisted in the final four to be UK City of Culture 2029
Clementine Hall
Sheffield has been shortlisted to be the UK City of Culture 2029.
It's great news for Sheffield, as the city has made it into the final four to be considered as the UK City of Culture for 2029.
Sheffield is included alongside Blackpool, Milton Keynes and Wrexham.
All four cities will now receive £125,000 to move forward with their bids, with £10 million going to the overall winner.
The title is currently held by Bradford, and is awarded every four years.
The brilliant news follows months of work by partners, cultural organisations, artists, communities, businesses and residents from across the city, who have come together behind a shared vision for Sheffield's cultural future.
Image: The Sheff
Sheffield's bid celebrates the city's rich industrial heritage and reputation as a place where creativity thrives.
The next step? Each shortlisted city will welcome the expert panel of judges and present their proposals, before the eventual winner of UK City of Culture 2029 is announced in early 2027
Cllr Fran Belbin, Leader of Sheffield City Council, said: "Being shortlisted for UK City of Culture 2029 is fantastic news for Sheffield and a proud moment for everyone who has helped shape our bid.
"Sheffield is a city built on creativity, innovation and community spirit. From our world-renowned music heritage and vibrant independent arts scene to our festivals, libraries, theatres, museums, galleries and grassroots creativity, culture is part of who we are.
"This recognition reflects the incredible talent, energy and ambition that exists across our city. We look forward to taking our bid to the next stage and continuing to showcase everything that makes Sheffield such a special place."
Surriya Falconer, Chair of Sheffield Culture Collective, said: "Sheffield has the expertise, capability and ambition to deliver a programme that engages and benefits all communities.
"Our city has immense cultural capital and a rich heritage spanning the full spectrum of creative endeavour, making a significant contribution to our economy, our wellbeing and the quality of our lives."
Georgina Pellant -
23rd November 2021 
