Libel award 'excessive'

Libel award 'excessive'

SINGAPORE (Reuter): Singapore's Court of Appeal was told yesterday the country's biggest libel award should never have been given against opposition politician Tang Liang Hong and should be thrown out.

Top London libel lawyer Charles Gray told the court the cases brought by Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong and 10 fellow leaders of the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) were politically motivated and the award "grossly excessive".

Goh and his colleagues were awarded Singapore $8.08 million (US$5.35 million) and costs -- which Gray said could amount to S$3.0 million -- after Tang called them liars.

The PAP leaders, who vehemently deny accusations from the West that they use the courts to crush opponents, said they had no choice but to sue to defend the integrity which was critical to their ability to rule.