Andrew Bridgen Claims Matt Hancock Has ‘A Motive to Discredit Me’ as Libel Battle Reaches High Court

Former Conservative MP Andrew Bridgen was in the High Court for a preliminary hearing on Friday in his attempt to sue his one-time colleague Matt Hancock for libel following remarks the former health secretary made on social media platform X, which he says are defamatory. Mr. Hancock’s legal team attempted to have the case struck out on the grounds that Mr. Bridgen’s plea is “defective” and has no reasonable prospect of success. Mr. Bridgen attended the hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice and several of his supporters were in the public gallery. Mr. Hancock, the West Sussex MP who now sits as an independent after losing the Tory whip following his appearance on the reality show “I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here!” did not attend court himself but was represented by Aidan Eardley, KC....