A TV DOCTOR has set up a GoFundMe page to pay for the damages payment a court this week ordered him to pay to outgoing First Minister, Arlene Foster
TV presenter Dr. Christian Jessen was ordered to pay damages of £125,000 to Mrs. Foster, plus her legal costs, for posting an “outrageous” defamatory tweet which made unfounded claims that the First Minister was having an extramarital affair.
Dr. Jessen created the GoFundMe page with a target of helping him to raise £150,000 on May 23 – two days before the outcome of the court proceedings.
Dear all. I’m very grateful for your messages of support and encouragement following the recent news. Would you please retweet and support me via my GoFundMe page? I have put more details there and I’ll keep you updated. Big hugs C x https://t.co/QqLsUNXlDu #GoFundMe
— Dr Christian Jessen (@DoctorChristian) May 28, 2021
Posting on the GoFundMe website, he wrote: "On January 28, 2020, the First Minister of Northern Ireland, Arlene Foster, issued libel proceedings against me over a tweet I published in December, 2019, which the High Court has held as defamatory.
"I was ordered to pay libel damages and full indemnity legal costs incurred by her, which shall be substantial.
"I gave evidence to the court about my mental health and personal circumstances over the last year.
"I am also considering an appeal, and I am seeking to raise funds to help me fight what is a most unfair situation.
"As a practising doctor and Humanist with a public profile, I have fought hard to ensure LGBTQ+ rights are recognised and upheld around the world, and I am proud to have been involved in many prominent campaigns bringing positive change to marriage equality, blood donation rules, women's abortion rights, and recognising and reducing HIV stigma.
"I am an advocate for HIV education and testing and am proud to be a National HIV Testing Week Ambassador.
“I am, perhaps, better known for my television work offering medical help and guidance to your front rooms.
"As these legal proceedings have involved some very personal issues and revelations, any monies raised surplus to the costs will be donated to relevant charities.
"The last year or so has been very difficult for me as I have struggled with some serious mental health problems, and knowing I have your support is hugely encouraging and affirming. I'm very grateful."
Mrs. Foster sued the celebrity medic, best known for appearing in the Channel 4 show, Embarrassing Bodies, for defamation for the tweet he posted on December 23, 2019, making the false allegation about her of an affair to his 300,000-plus followers.
The tweet remained online until Dr. Jessen deleted it on January 7, 2020.
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