Craig faces defamation suit after lobbyist takes action

FORMER Conservative Party leader Colin Craig faces defamation proceedings over a pamphlet in which he claimed he was the victim of a political take-down.

Lobbyist Jordan Williams says he has filed High Court proceedings, after claims by Craig in a press conference and a pamphlet in July suggesting there was ‘‘an orchestrated campaign’’ against him.

At a press conference in July, Craig threatened legal action against what he called the ‘‘dirty politics brigade’’, who he accused of a conspiracy to destroy his reputation.

An accompanying pamphlet had been ‘‘authorised’’ by Craig and his wife Helen, although the author remained anonymous.

At the time, Craig said he would be launching defamation action against Williams, former party board member John Stringer and WhaleOil blogger Cameron Slater.

Both Stringer and Slater have said they had no fear over the threat and would defend any action.

Craig said he would be seeking damages of $300,000 from Williams, $600,000 from Stringer and $650,000 from Slater, although there are no indications that any legal action has been started by Craig.

The Conservative Party’s executive has been in turmoil since Craig was forced to stand down as leader in June, in the wake of claims he sexually harassed his former press secretary Rachel MacGregor.

Craig has rejected the claims, but admitted ‘‘inappropriate conduct’’ while MacGregor has remained largely silent other than to reject any notion of a relationship.

Williams confirmed a statement of claim under the Defamation Act had been filed in the High Court at Auckland yesterday, against Colin Craig and officers of the Conservative Party – Nathaniel Heslop, Kevin Stitt and Angela Storr.

‘‘The claim related to statements made by Craig at a media conference on July 29, and a leaflet distributed at the conference and subsequently delivered to mailboxes across New Zealand,’’ Williams said in a statement.

‘‘The claim against the Conservative Party’s officers relates to the publication of the same.’’

He was seeking general damages of $250,000 and punitive damages of $50,000 in relation to Craig’s statements at the media conference.

Williams’ claim also sought general damages of $500,000 and punitive damages of $100,000 in relation to the leaflet, which Craig distributed throughout major centres, including Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.

Williams said he received no formal claim from Craig.

He said he was confident in his position and looked forward to the claim being heard in court.

Craig confirmed yesterday that he had been served with the papers.