New Colin Craig defamation trial back on cards

Colin Craig’s bid to sue an ex-Conservative Party board member is back on the cards in what will be yet another defamation trial after the party’s implosion five years ago.

And the multi-millionaire’s former press secretary, Rachel MacGregor, may be required to testify again about being sexually harassed by her old boss, says John Stringer.

The Court of Appeal yesterday reversed a High Court ruling — which had stayed Craig’s proceeding against Stringer — labelled by Justice Matthew Palmer as “oppressive” and an “abuse” of the judicial process. “Enough is enough,” the judge said. Stringer said yesterday: “I’m very surprised that he’s won the appeal, but that means we now have to relitigate the sexual harassment case all over again.”

Two High Court judges have ruled that Craig, the former leader of the Conservative Party, sexually harassed MacGregor from 2012 to 2014.

“Colin wants to argue all that again and that’s only going to ruin his reputation even more. He just seems to be adamant, he seems to be in complete denial that he sexually harassed somebody.”

Stringer said he might be “forced” to call MacGregor to again testify, which would mean she could be cross-examined by Craig for a fourth time in similar proceedings.

“There may be other issues I may want to traverse in my defence and Rachel MacGregor is the only person that can provide that evidence.

“I think it’s highly likely that I will be forced to, as hard as I’ve tried to avoid that. I’m being sued for a substantial sum for saying that he sexually harassed her — which we know he did.” Stringer’s comments were in contrast to the Court of Appeal’s decision, given by Justice Murray Gilbert, which noted neither Craig nor Stringer intended to call MacGregor as a witness.

“The possibility that the proceedings were an abuse of the process of the court because their true purpose was to harass or embarrass Ms MacGregor can be ruled out,” the decision reads.

“However, to address [ Justice Palmer’s] concern that Mr Stringer would be disadvantaged unless he called Ms MacGregor, Mr Craig formally advised following the hearing of the appeal that he would agree to her evidence in the [ Jordan] Williams, [Cameron] Slater and MacGregor proceedings being admitted into evidence in the Stringer proceeding. This concession removes any potential for prejudice to Ms MacGregor, or unfairness to Mr Stringer.” Craig, who has denied he sexually harassed MacGregor, said the ball was in Stringer’s court over whether she would be asked to testify yet again.

“It’s up to Mr Stringer to decide the witnesses that he wants, but that is unnecessary, she has given evidence before,” he said. “I’m certainly willing to let that evidence be entered into the court without her needing to attend.”

MacGregor did not immediately reply to a request for comment. Craig said the decision made him “very, very happy” and was “keen to get my day in court against Mr Stringer and finally resolve matters”.

Craig said he would once again be representing himself with legal advice.

“I’ve got the hang of it now,” Craig laughed. “And it also, of course, makes it a lot cheaper.”

He said he was seeking damages worth several hundred thousand dollars.

“It’s not outrageous, I’m not like Mr Williams wanting a million bucks.”

After a four-week trial against Craig in 2016, a jury awarded Taxpayers’ Union founder Jordan Williams $1.27 million, the highest amount for defamation damages in New Zealand’s legal history.

After a series of appeals, the Supreme Court later ordered a retrial, before Williams admitted making false allegations and apologised to Craig and his family last December. He also made an undisclosed payment — ending his proceedings with Craig.

Craig, who founded the Conservative Party in 2011, told the Herald he had offered a similar settlement proposal to Stringer.

Stringer said no such olive branch has been extended his way.

Stringer will represent himself and said his case against Craig would be “savage”.

Craig’s wife, Helen, Stephen Taylor and Conservative Party officials Angela Storr and Kevin Stitt are also appellants in the case against Stringer.