In April 2008, Dr. Simon Singh published an article in the Guardian newspaper and online site in which he wrote:
"The British Chiropractic Association claims that their members can help treat children with colic, sleeping and feeding problems, frequent ear infections, asthma and prolonged crying, even though there is not a jot of evidence. This organisation is the respectable face of the chiropractic profession and yet it happily promotes bogus treatments."
The BCA asked Dr. Singh to retract his allegations because they are factually wrong, defamatory and damaging to the BCA's reputation. Dr. Singh refused to do so.
In July 2008, the BCA issued libel proceedings against Dr. Singh. He defended his position and the case has been continuing. At a hearing on May 7, 2009, in the Royal Courts of Justice before Justice Eady, Dr Singh's contentions that what he published was not defamatory and that it was fair comment were roundly rejected. Justice Eady held that what Dr. Singh had published was defamatory of the BCA in exactly the way the BCA had claimed; and that Dr. Singh's allegations were not comment, but were serious defamatory allegations of fact against the BCA.
Dr. Singh's application for permission to appeal to the Court of Appeal was refused by the judge. Dr. Singh has indicated, however, that he proposes to challenge that decision at the Court of Appeal; he now has three weeks to lodge that challenge.
Justice Eady ordered Dr. Singh to pay the BCA's costs of the hearing within 28 days. The trial will conclude later this year.
After the hearing, BCA President Dr. Tony Metcalfe said, "The BCA brought this claim to preserve its integrity and reputation. I'm delighted that the Judge has vindicated the BCA's position."
Source: British Chiropractic Association.
