ory MP Dominic Raab worked as chief of staff to David Davis between 2006 and 2008. Photograph: Sutton-Hibbert / Rex Features
A Tory MP has been given the green light to sue the Daily Mail publisher Associated Newspapers for libel over allegations he bullied a female colleague.
Dominic Raab is suing the publisher over a Mail on Sunday article published on 30 January that alleged he bullied the colleague, referred to in court as "E", while he worked as chief of staff to David Davis between 2006 and 2008.
The article, headlined "Payout for woman who claimed workplace bullying under Raab", also claimed that the woman was paid £20,000 in "hush money" to keep the accusations of bullying and sexual discrimination a secret. Raab, who is also bound by the confidentiality agreement, denies the allegations.
The high court on Thursday refused to grant permission to Associated Newspapers' request for the action to be struck out, meaning Raab can sue the publisher for libel next year.
Raab claims the Mail on Sunday article alleged his behaviour was "so bad that it caused her, an extremely intelligent and accomplished young woman who had worked her way up from humble beginnings, to become traumatised, to feel worthless and to leave a job which she had otherwise enjoyed". He claims that the article inferred the woman was paid £20,000 in "hush money to keep [his] appalling behaviour secret".
The court heard how the woman entered into a confidentiality agreement with Davis and Raab in August 2007, prohibiting her from speaking publicly about the claims.
Associated Newspapers said the woman was willing to back up its claims if she was released from the confidentiality agreement or if the publisher could see a witness statement by her. However, Tugendhat refused to order that the witness statement should be released.
The judgment said there was no evidence the woman had been "gagged", as counsel for Associated Newspapers claimed, and noted she expressed a wish "not to have to talk about the subject".
"I accept that [Associated Newspapers] is not in terms seeking disclosure of documents, but to interview a witness. But the distinction is a narrow one, and may disappear if (as seems likely) 'E' has documents that are relevant to which she needs to refer," said Tugendhat in the written judgment.
"The application by the defendant that this libel action be struck out or stayed is dismissed."
Raab is expected to bring his claims to a libel trial in 2012.
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Following note from Learning Quran online Blog
Learn holy Quran online which it self states in it that only those who are learn quran and pure should touch the holy text: This is indeed a Quran in Arabic in a book well-guarded, which none shall touch but those who are clean (56:77-79). One should make formal ablutions before handling or Quran reading and this the quran tutor should tell in his quran teaching when quran for kids lessons are going on. After intercourse or menstrual bleeding one should not touch the holy Quran or do quran recitation and also not do quran memorization until after bathing non-Muslim should not handle the sacred text, but may listen to Quran online or read quran translation or exegesis. With all these things in mind when one is not reading or reciting holy Quran it should be closed and stored in nice and clean place, it should never be placed on floor or in a bathroom and Muslim should focus on reading quran the tajweed quran and its rules with a proper institute.
End of the note by holy Quran reciter
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