Phillips and Watson face Hemming complaint as ‘fantasist’ loses libel case
Former Lib Dem MP lodges protest with Labour after woman who falsely accused him of rape was ‘supported’ by politicians
FORMER MP John Hemming has lodged a formal complaint against two Birmingham political big-hitters who, he claims, added weight to a woman’s unsubstantiated rape claims against him.
Mr Hemming spoke to the Birmingham Post following news that Esther Baker has been ordered to pay libel damages over her unproven claims of child sex abuse.
At the High Court, Miss Baker, 36, was banned from trying to uphold the allegations of rape and abuse she made against the former Lib Dem MP in court papers.
A judge ruled that her “denial that her allegations of rape and sexual abuse by the defendant (Mr Hemming) were untrue... should be struck out of the documents”.
The former Yardley MP has lived under the shadow of the claims for more than four years. He has, he says, suffered death threats.
Mr Hemming has now complained to the Labour Party about comments made by Tom Watson, who last week stepped down as an MP and deputy leader of the party, and Jess Phillips, who took the Yardley seat from Mr Hemming in the 2015 election.
They, he insists, added credence to an investigation dropped by the police two years ago.
In 2015, Mr Watson urged the police to thoroughly investigate Miss Baker’s claims. He said: “Esther has made very serious allegations. They concern a politician who is in the public eye today and is therefore different to allegations from previous eras. I hope the police will resource a comprehensive investigation.”
In May of the same year, Ms Phillips, responding to Sky News coverage, tweeted her support for Miss Baker: “This amazingly brave woman talks (of) her abuse. If you have any info or want to talk please come forward.”
The remarks by Mr Watson and Ms Phillips remarks added weight to the groundless allegations, Mr Hemming, 58, said.
He said: “This should have been chucked in the bin very quickly – obviously, not straight away because the police have to look into complaints like this. It wasn’t, because certain individuals gave it credence.
“She (Miss Baker) has been encouraged to go on and on, and on and on.
She has misused people’s sympathy. In order to protect my family, I have had to pull out of the election.”
On his blog, Mr Hemming said: “Many people will know that my family and I have been subject to a campaign of false allegations by Esther Baker for the past four-and-a-half years. Due to her various breaches of court rules and orders, she has been barred from further repeating her allegations even in the court proceedings.”
He added: “This demonstrates the challenge in fighting false allegations in today’s Britain. A substantial campaign was built up to promote allegations which had no substance to them.
“Various Labour MPs, and in particular Jess Phillips and Tom Watson, supported this campaign. Jess Phillips is not, and never has been, the constituency member of Parliament for Esther Baker. However, she dedicated a considerable amount of time to ensuring that the allegations got the maximum publicity, including inviting Baker to meet her in the House of Commons.”
The legal battle with Miss Baker, who waived her right to anonymity shortly after the story broke, has been long and protracted.
She launched a libel action for defamation against Mr Hemming after he dubbed her a “fantasist”. That remains on the table, although bankrupt Miss
Baker is now unable to repeat unfounded allegations of abuse.
She has until December 17 to amend her reply to Mr Hemming’s defence against her claim. If she fails to do so, it will be struck out.
Mr Hemming, who referred to Miss Baker’s allegations as “a load of rubbish”, counter-sued, accusing her of “malicious and deliberate” lies.
The ruling by senior judge Mrs Justice Steyn has seen him emerge with the most important victory.
The judge said: “It follows from the decision I have made in respect of the counterclaim that the Claimant (Miss Baker) cannot contend that the Defendant (Mr Hemming) raped her or anyone else, or that he sexually assaulted her or stalked and defamed her to cover it up.”
She ruled that Mr Hemmings was entitled to damages.
Betting shop worker Miss Baker, raised in Walsall, represented herself in court.
Mr Hemming’s complaint to the Labour Party will be considered after the December 12 election, the Labour Party has said.
Back in 2015, Ms Phillips stressed she had never made allegations about Mr Hemming or campaigned on the case.
She told The Guardian: “I have met Esther twice at events in Parliament because I am a campaigner on rape and victim issues, but I would never try to interfere with a criminal inquiry.”
This week she stressed: “There is no merit in this.
“I am a trained professional who deals with people who have been abused in the past. “I would never say anything publicly. There is no evidence of that.”
Mr Watson, elected West Bromwich East MP in 2001, has announced he will not be contesting next month’s General Election. He could not be contacted for comment.