Colin Craig is being sued for defamation by Jordan Williams (Getty Images).

Jury in Colin Craig defamation trial retires to deliberate

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Crime

Author: Michael Allan, additional reporting by Amelia Wade of the NZ Herald,
Publish Date: Thu, 29 Sep 2016, 6:35AM

UPDATED 11.50am The High Court judge presiding over Colin Craig's defamation trial has told the jury to leave their emotion at the door when deliberating.

The jury has retired to consider its verdict in what Justice Sarah Katz said was probably the most complicated defamation case in New Zealand history.

Taxpayers Union boss Jordan Williams is suing the former Conservative Party leader at the High Court in Auckland after Mr Craig held a news conference and published a leaflet that labelled Mr Williams a liar, unethical and untrustworthy.

Colin Craig trial: Williams agonised over making sexual harassment allegations

The case centres around sexual harassment allegations from Mr Craig's former press secretary, Rachel MacGregor against her former boss that Mr Williams spread.

Mr Craig's lawyers told the jury yesterday that Mr Williams' character is in question as he released Rachel MacGregor's sexual harassment allegations against her former boss against her wishes.

But Mr Williams' lawyer said he felt a responsibility to oust Mr Craig as he didn't know what he would do next.

In her summation, Justice Sarah Katz told the jury they must disregard their opinions of Mr Craig and Mr Williams and stick to the facts.

She said whether they agree with either man's politics or morals is irrelevant as it is not a popularity contest.

Justice Katz told the jury if they decide Mr Craig did defame Mr Williams, how rich the former politician is shouldn't be considered when awarding damages.

The jury will retire to consider its verdict later today.

WHAT THE JURY MUST DECIDE:

For each of the two actions Craig allegedly defamed Williams by firstly what he said at the press conference and secondly what he published in the leaflet.

· If yes, then they must move to:

· Was Craig appropriately responding to an earlier attack by Williams on the politician’s character or was he motivated by hurting Williams?

· Was Craig telling the truth?

· Was Craig expressing his honest opinion?

· If all are no, then they must decide how much Craig should pay Williams for the injury to his reputation and feelings.

· The jury must be unanimous.