At the opening of his High Court defamation trial, Mohamed Amersi alleged that BBC coverage cost him a knighthood and peerage, according to a witness statement reported by The Guardian.
The 2021 BBC Panorama program and an accompanying article examined Amersi’s advisory work for Swedish telecom company Telia in Uzbekistan. The reports questioned whether he knew, or should have known, about corruption connected to deals or payments. Amersi disputes the allegation.
In its court defense, the BBC says the material was accurate and publication was warranted by the public interest. It argues Amersi has not demonstrated serious reputational harm and says no corroborating documents for his assertions had been disclosed.
Amersi is seeking damages and an injunction to stop further publication of the statements he says defamed him. The Guardian reported that he is expected to testify for six days starting Nov. 11.
