Haskell may Sue

First topic message reminder :

Hadn't seen this up at all but feel free to remove if Maesteg's already covered it

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/international/england/8917315/England-forward-James-Haskell-threatens-to-sue-hotel-worker-Annabel-Newton-over-false-claims.html

Basically Haskell has threatened to sue that hotel work if she hadn't retracted her claims. There is video of the whole thing that shows the vast majority of the claims were completely fictitious. Which is why the RFU were able to say the allegations were completely false.

Any case would centre on the video evidence, the story she sold either matches the video or doesn't, credibility of the parties involved will have no bearing.

The transcript is bizarre. I dont think it would do anything to make Haskel or his friends in the "V-bangers Gang" look anymore the consummate professionals they wish the public to believe they are.

Certainly a sexual reference in there too, so it would be hard to expose her claims as false.

England rugby fan wrote:

Taffineastbourne wrote:And they will bring up his previous cr*p again from his school days.Anyone with a brain would let sleeping dogs lie.
Why am I bothered?

Was this "cr*p from his school days" subject to legal action ? I thought not. Not quite sure why you're defending the money grabber.

Does legal action prevent our esteemed British Press from digging it up?I thought not.
Not defending the money grabber.I simply fail to see what would be achieved by this action.Please explain coz I am twp.

Any defence lawyer would use the evidence from his school escapade to destroy his reputation and cast doubt on his position.

What happened when he was at school would have no effect on his 'position'. The only relevance is does what she sold to the press match the video evidence, did she or did she not lie.

Her claims certainly went beyond what was in the transcript, I can't see it going well for her, I doubt it will even make it to court.

TJ wrote:Any defence lawyer would use the evidence from his school escapade to destroy his reputation and cast doubt on his position.

Garbage. The incident in the past would not disprove that the money grabber was telling lies and would have no affect on his "position". The case is all about her telling lies to the press. She has to prove what he said, he does not have to prove he didn't say anything untoward.

maestegmafia wrote:The transcript is bizarre. I dont think it would do anything to make Haskel or his friends in the "V-bangers Gang" look anymore the consummate professionals they wish the public to believe they are.

Certainly a sexual reference in there too, so it would be hard to expose her claims as false.

She claimed one of them was hiding in the cupboard and that they physically blocked her. These are the claims he's refuting. He's already been fined by the RFU for his behaviour. The point is she lied to the press. This isn't that he's total innocent of wrong doing. But that she lied in the story she sold to the press for cash.

Guys - you need to understand how libel works. that incident from school would be used against him and the transcript shows him in a poor light - thats enough that his chances of winning a libel case are next to zero - and evenif he wins what? He will not recoup his costs not will it alter anything except to have publicised his idiocy.

It's you that needs to understand how the legal process works. If someone makes a libellous comment about you, it matters not a jot what you've done or said in the past. If the comment is libellous you are allowed to persue the person who made it and if proven, claim damages.

You don't seem to be following the arguments TJ. People are saying he is pursuing the case to make sure she doesn't get away with making money out her story, not to get his costs back.

As far as libel proceedings, that isn't necessarily the path he is going down, you won't find libel mentioned in any of the articles, there are other possible avenues that would achieve similar results. But in any case, even if your name is provenly sullied in the past, it doesn't prevent successful defence of further and different accusations in the future, the public domain is littered with such successful cases.

If he sues the mud will fly and some of it will stick - an previous conduct would be used to destroy his reputation. Standard practice. Even if he should win it could be shown that because of his previous he had no reputation to lose so would get no damages and the previous would be used to destroy his credibility.

If his lawyers have any sense they will advise him to drop it. No one ever wins a libel case - even if you win in the court your reputation will be shattered for ever.

damage limitation is the name of the game here for the sensible

i don't know what else he could sue for anyway apart from libel.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/news/article.cfm?c_id=80&objectid=10769230
Obviously there are two sides to the argument this is hers,Zac Guildford made a complete a****** of himself too.
He was asked to apologize,and has done so,he is also going to meet and apologise in person to the people concerned.
He may still face a Court case for sexual harassment,NZRFU are saying he will need help.Also that he will get it BUT there is a VERY real threat he will never be capped again.
In The past NZRFU have been down the road with Jimmy Cowan and Luaki ,supporting them.Cowan at least is still being capped.
No one knows what went on in the incidents concerned ONLY what is alleged keaked to the media for Cash.
The rights and wrongs,I know not but apologies to those concerned would help.
As I understand it the players concerned were asked to apoligise and refused[at least in the case of Tindall].
Since Haskell has a S15 contract in NZ a court case may mean that being cancelled.
THE worst part of the whole England Fiasco,NOT the allegations,NOT the RWC failure.
NOT the reports in confidence of players testimony to supposedly anoymous inquest in the whole RFU edifice.
NOR JW pouring out his feelings,bit by bit,in the press,IT is that the "THUNDERER" the Worlds once Premier News paper.
Is carrying out a Watergate style trial by Media,for vulgar cash,IF had been the SUN complete with a page3 girl onthe front page.
Sinking to level of the gutter press,hopefully the ABSCESS on Englands Rugby will be lanced next week.
A complete cleanup of the Manure that has been the RFU for very many years.The Board,Managers,especially Mr.Teflon,Coaches,and hangers on swept away.
In its place a Structured Board properly appointed,with proper layers of responsibility.FOR ALL its duties appointing Managers,Coaches,Executives.Managing at Test,A,Junior,and Club level.
Then with all the resources,players at his command the new Coaching team
can select ,and train for 2015.
Don`t expect miracles at once re-building is long process if now is scratch 2019 is realistic for another RWC.
One thing England can learn from NZ,if they have a certain gameplan[s] in mind for the Test Side.
Co-operation from leading Club sides to trial them too,i,e, Crusaders who would expect to have a large prescence in the Test Side.

It was immature and silly, and they have been punished accordingly with his RFU sanction. But Newton exaggerated her claims to the press and shouldn't get away with it.

Haskell's stock has fallen so low that he had a contract offer pulled away from him because of this incident. Bearing in mind that transcript, that is too much. Again, Haskell will not gain financially, but it's a matter of principle for him now.

All she needs to do is say that she was so traumatised by what went on that she was unable to think straight. She has been unable to sleep and the thought of going in rooms rented by males has made her very nervous.
Her lawyer will have a field day with this and that's why they would have advised her not to apologise.

She went into the room to retrieve hotel property the court will not judge her as being the instigator.

Immaterial Cymroglan, if the video shows she lied she'll still have to retract what she said and more than likely lose the money she earnt.

What a hero Haskell must be for millions of young English rugby followers !

21st Century Schizoid Man wrote:What a hero Haskell must be for millions of young English rugby followers !

Probably as much as Max Evans is for Scottish. How's that court case going by the way?

From the transcript printed as a defence,there was certainly a comment of a sexual nature viz a Blow job.
THAT is not a lie, it is there on the video transcript,whoever made the comment.
Not defending either side, BUT that IS Blatent Sexism no matter how you cut it.

Schizoid Man, how did court case against Max Evans go ? You must remember he was charged with glassing someone ? He must be such a hero for the 10's of thousands of young Scottish rugby followers.

Haskell has no class and no judgment

He out himself in this position, no one else did and now he should take responsibility for his complete lack of professionalism

The guy is a chump

(go ahead and sue!)

Just seen a pic of her, she looks like a mate's wife, a combination of zig and zag, she'd be lucky if anyone did harass her. But thats not the point.

The V Bangers are a bunch of idiots

Zac Guildford verbally (sexual innuendo) abused a lady in public, then went in a pub starkers and started a rumpus with two punters trying to have a quiet pint.

Max Evans glassed somebody.

Why is Haskell viewed as the nastiest rugby player alive by some posters on here?

She is milking it, wanting to be a celebrity, playing up to it on her Facebook page, ruining someone's reputation over next-to-nothing. England players were out of order of course, and there is no defending the intimidation or fear that the lady felt.

However, good on Haskell, ruin her credibility. Crying Wolf is a pathetic way to earn money and fame.

Haskell is a chump, he has been getting himself into strife since Wellington.

maestegmafia wrote:The transcript is bizarre. I dont think it would do anything to make Haskel or his friends in the "V-bangers Gang" look anymore the consummate professionals they wish the public to believe they are.

Certainly a sexual reference in there too, so it would be hard to expose her claims as false.

I agree. Haskell is an idiot as the transcript does more to confirm her story than his, if it is true. It also confirms that Ashton was lying in his book as he claimed that they only asked for chocolate and didn't make the sexual reference.

I'm dumbfounded at the stupidity of this guy. Unbelievable.

Gatts wrote:Haskell is a chump, he has been getting himself into strife since Wellington.

You're such a keyboard warrior, I'd love to see you tell him that face to face and see what happens.

Cymroglan wrote:If he is innocent then yes he should fight it all the way but the fact that he has threatened to sue should not be deemed as evidence that nothing untoward took place.
My understanding is that the girl was given a deadline to apologise but that deadline has now passed ,I would presume that her legal representative had advised her not to apologise.
The ball is now in Haskell 's court and if he and his legal team want this to end up in court then they need to make sure that he is squeaky clean.

Maybe they should get him a contract with Daz.

I've read through all of this thread and people really need to qualify themselves more if they are making comment about potential legal cases. There needs to be far more 'if's put into the comments and less emphatic statements.

The media have published only parts of both sides of a story. Both sides have common elements to their story and it appears to focus a fine line between good humour, or banter as some put it, and sexual harassment. Legal counsels can have field days over such fine lines. Even if a video showed the maid responding to 'playful banter' it could still be construed as feeling harassed in the room and providing responses in hope to deflect the possible harassment from intensifying. So a video of the incident might also not definitively support only one sides argument.

If the Brand's name is damaged as a result of these allegations (if false) then in order for a court to proceed, do they have to prove that the allegations caused either emotional or financial distress. Might the Brand be more comfortable showing a financial loss in that situation rather than sitting in court talking about emotional distress?

If that transcript is accurate Haskell would be a complete and utter idiot to go to court

Wow you guys are blowing this whole thing out of proportion like the press.

The transcript clearly shows that Haskell and Ashton were acting like immature little schoolchildren but ultimately what they said and did was harmless.

They said immature stuff and sexual innuendos. So what? In the grand scheme of things it's a storm in a tea cup. There are a lot more important things than this going on!

Typical of the media and this money and attention grabbing woman for blowing this whole situation out of control.

This woman should get the book thrown at her for her tasteless opportunism and her attempted blackmail of two evidently naive and foolish high profile rugby players.

Essentialy it comes down this, if the judge is Welsh ... hes screwed.

beshocked wrote:Wow you guys are blowing this whole thing out of proportion like the press.

The transcript clearly shows that Haskell and Ashton were acting like immature little schoolchildren but ultimately what they said and did was harmless.

They said immature stuff and sexual innuendos. So what? In the grand scheme of things it's a storm in a tea cup. There are a lot more important things than this going on!

Typical of the media and this money and attention grabbing woman for blowing this whole situation out of control.

This woman should get the book thrown at her for her tasteless opportunism and her attempted blackmail of two evidently naive and foolish high profile rugby players.

Agreed.

Can we lock this thread now as to be honest reading this and all the make believe legal advice people are coming out with on here is depressing.

England rugby fan wrote:

Gatts wrote:Haskell is a chump, he has been getting himself into strife since Wellington.

You're such a keyboard warrior, I'd love to see you tell him that face to face and see what happens.

Despite who or what you are replying to, that's a bit pot and kettle on your part eh? What would you expect Haskell to do if he was told that?

Morgannwg wrote:

England rugby fan wrote:

Gatts wrote:Haskell is a chump, he has been getting himself into strife since Wellington.

You're such a keyboard warrior, I'd love to see you tell him that face to face and see what happens.

Despite who or what you are replying to, that's a bit pot and kettle on your part eh? What would you expect Haskell to do if he was told that?

Sue, then get called a knobber by people with nothing better to do than abuse others on the internet?

Hahahahahahahahaha.

beshocked wrote:Wow you guys are blowing this whole thing out of proportion like the press.

The transcript clearly shows that Haskell and Ashton were acting like immature little schoolchildren but ultimately what they said and did was harmless.

They said immature stuff and sexual innuendos. So what? In the grand scheme of things it's a storm in a tea cup. There are a lot more important things than this going on!

Typical of the media and this money and attention grabbing woman for blowing this whole situation out of control.

This woman should get the book thrown at her for her tasteless opportunism and her attempted blackmail of two evidently naive and foolish high profile rugby players.

Yes it is a storm in a tea cup but Haskell is making it worse by considering taking it to court.
A sensible individual would call it a day and forget it.
If he takes it further she may well come out of it tarnished but so will he.
He needs to move on

geoff998rugby if it damages both then what's the problem?

I don't think many English fans particularly like Haskell.

I think these two are a match made in heaven actually.

I can hear wedding bells already.

Annabel Haskell - got a nice ring to it don't you think?

They could travel the world together making celebrity appearances. Doing press conferences. How they met etc.

Interviewer: So how did you guys meet?

AH and JH: Well it happened in a NZ hotel.......

Imagine the children if these two got together....


Sorry I can't take this thread or this whole mess seriously.

beshocked wrote:geoff998rugby if it damages both then what's the problem?

.

Absolutely no problem at all
It would just confirm what a prize plonker Haskell is

geoff everyone knows Haskell is a prize plonker. Who else is there to tell? I suppose there is himself but I thought gatts already volunteered to speak to him face to face on that matter.

I am not sure how this thread has dragged on.

beshocked wrote:geoff everyone knows Haskell is a prize plonker. Who else is there to tell? I suppose there is himself but I thought gatts already volunteered to speak to him face to face on that matter.

I am not sure how this thread has dragged on.

Had me spitting tea over the keyboard.

England rugby fan wrote:

Gatts wrote:Haskell is a chump, he has been getting himself into strife since Wellington.

You're such a keyboard warrior, I'd love to see you tell him that face to face and see what happens.

Doesn't that make you a keyboard warrior too?

geoff998rugby wrote:

beshocked wrote:Wow you guys are blowing this whole thing out of proportion like the press.

The transcript clearly shows that Haskell and Ashton were acting like immature little schoolchildren but ultimately what they said and did was harmless.

They said immature stuff and sexual innuendos. So what? In the grand scheme of things it's a storm in a tea cup. There are a lot more important things than this going on!

Typical of the media and this money and attention grabbing woman for blowing this whole situation out of control.

This woman should get the book thrown at her for her tasteless opportunism and her attempted blackmail of two evidently naive and foolish high profile rugby players.

Yes it is a storm in a tea cup but Haskell is making it worse by considering taking it to court.
A sensible individual would call it a day and forget it.
If he takes it further she may well come out of it tarnished but so will he.
He needs to move on

Someone, theoretically speaking of course, who has such a big ego won't be able to let it go

England rugby fan wrote:

Gatts wrote:Haskell is a chump, he has been getting himself into strife since Wellington.

You're such a keyboard warrior, I'd love to see you tell him that face to face and see what happens.

Got some tragic news,England rugby fan.I have weighed up whether my life has been enriched by your postings.On balance I have to inform you that your audience has shrunk by one and my ignore list has just grown by the same amount.

Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler wrote:Essentialy it comes down this, if the judge is Welsh ... hes screwed.

Never knew that Haskell fancied Welsh judges!

SafeAsMilk wrote:

TJ wrote:He would be extremely stupid to do so. Nothing to gain and plenty to lose - loads of muck to be thrown if he does.

Arrogant and stupid to even think of it

How is wanting to clear your name arrogant and stupid?

the fact he's english im guessing!

also didn't realise how many lawyers we had on this forum!!

Taffineastbourne wrote:]Got some tragic news,England rugby fan.I have weighed up whether my life has been enriched by your postings.On balance I have to inform you that your audience has shrunk by one and my ignore list has just grown by the same amount.

Taff

you won't see Fan's reply but he is basically saying he is a bit of a small yellow man with a big mouth and bleached teeth and comedy small arms and that you kicked his butt

Gatts wrote:Taff

you won't see Fan's reply but he is basically saying he is a bit of a small yellow man with a big mouth and bleached teeth and comedy small arms and that you kicked his butt

Cheers,Gatts.Shame I missed it!

Taffineastbourne wrote:

Gatts wrote:Taff

you won't see Fan's reply but he is basically saying he is a bit of a small yellow man with a big mouth and bleached teeth and comedy small arms and that you kicked his butt

Cheers,Gatts.Shame I missed it!

Why is it that I can actually picture fan as being a small yellow guy with bleached teeth and small arms...