Voter apologises after defaming former MP

A VOTER has issued a public apology and been made to pay damages after making defamatory statements against a former Gower MP.

Labour’s Tonia Antoniazzi won the Gower seat from Conservative Byron Davies at the 2017 general election.

Now voter Dan Evans has issued an apology on his Twitter account after falsely alleging that Mr Davies was under investigation for election fraud. Byron Davies

“I made defamatory statements about Byron Davies during last year’s election,” Mr Evans wrote. “I wanted him to lose, and tweeted saying he was under investigation for electoral fraud. This was untrue, and I’m sorry for my actions. I’d urge others not to repeat my unacceptable conduct. Please retweet.”

Mr Davies said the verdict was “a victory for the process of democracy”.

“During the build-up to the 2017 election campaign very consistent attempts to defame me, and allegations that I had played a part in electoral fraud were made,” he said. “Clearly this was not the case, and I have never been under investigation for election fraud.

“The whole defamation process started around six weeks prior to the election day. The sad part is that the allegations affected the result of the election.

“There were a variety of attacks, targeting both me and my family. It was very low depths which they sank to. It’s not a victory for me, it’s for the process of democracy.”

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