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See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Gina Ford

214 replies

JustineMumsnet · 09/05/2007 09:24

Dear all,

We're pleased to say we have finally reached a settlement with Gina Ford (see here ). Just so you know, we are not at liberty to discuss the terms of settlement further so we won't be able to respond to any questions about that. We are confident, though, that we can all now draw a line under the affair and can move on.

We will continue to lobby hard for a review of the libel laws in this country with regard to websites, as we believe they haven't caught up with the way folks communicate on the net. We'll keep you posted on that.

Thank you everyone for your fabulous support in what's been an anxious time for us at MN Towers.

Best,
MNHQ

OP posts:
TheDuchessOfNorksBride · 09/05/2007 23:29
champs · 10/05/2007 02:29

glad you can finally say bye to this part of everything!! what a stressful time for you all.

glad MN is here to stay xxx

ForeverBlowingBubbles · 10/05/2007 03:15

Really pleased it's all over at last! Thank you to everyone at MN Towers for fighting on behalf of us all, you did a wonderful job and (unlike some people) remained very dignified throughout. You're all brilliant. Sorry you have to pay money but at least it's over and done with now and you can get on with your lives.

I didn't know who she was until all this kicked off, now I do and am not impressed. I'm all for keeping the ban on mentioning her.

satine · 10/05/2007 05:49

Well done, MNHQ - you were very grown up and reasonable throughout what must have been a stressful and worrying time.

But I'm adding myself to the list of those who will never now discuss or recommend Her methods - and I was once a fan and defender.

Bienchen · 10/05/2007 06:09

Well done and so glad for you it's over. Worthwhile sticking to your guns!!!

earlgrey · 10/05/2007 06:10

Fab news - though like others a bit miffed about MN having to pay some of her legal costs. Hope this gets as much coverage in the media as the original handbags at dawn .....

WideWebWitch · 10/05/2007 07:28

Oh fantastic, that's good to hear Justine, thanks for that.

toomuchtodo · 10/05/2007 07:49

great news!

earlgrey · 10/05/2007 08:02

Yay! It's all over page 3 of The Telegraph!!!!

FlossALump · 10/05/2007 09:01

Congratulations MN. You are more than reasonable. Thank you for all the time you have taken and sorry for all the stress you have been caused.

feelinbloo · 10/05/2007 09:08

thats gaood news that it was settled out of court, i think mumsnet has done okay to just contribute toward court costs, it could have been a hell of a lot more had this gone to court, gina fords case was on a no win, no fee basis, thats how sure they were about winning, so i have to say well done gina for letting it go, it was extreme yes and not nice but at least its all done with.

Flamesparrow · 10/05/2007 09:10

Another

suedonim · 10/05/2007 13:05

Hurrah, hurrah! It was dh who brought the breaking news to me - I guess that means he's sussed my MN habit.

Hulababy · 10/05/2007 16:25

It is in The Times too.

Judy1234 · 10/05/2007 17:40

It would have been helpful to me to have some sort of precedent of whether a bulletin board where you don't check postings in advance is liable for content which is removed quickly once they are told it's illegal. But it is very wise that no one decided to throw over £1m a lawyers to get the law clarified.

Also everyone who posts should know that if they do libel anyone they always risk being personally liable even though you're posting under a user name.

Twiglett · 10/05/2007 17:45

I am pleased this is finally settled to everyone's satisfaction

Although I actually have no intention of ever discussing Gina Ford's methods again because I think we've all grown beyond that and it was actually rather lovely not having to talk about methods which we may not be aligned with morally, ethically or developmentally

Judy1234 · 10/05/2007 17:48

The general point is don't as posters ever libel anyone or you might get sued, never mind the bulletin board. In theory if MN were held liable they could have gone against those posters who posted the "libels" to recover the damages from them and those posters might have lost their homes etc.

Hellcats · 10/05/2007 19:13

I am glad it is finally sorted and we can face the future without this hanging over the board. We all have better things to talk about, haven't we!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WideWebWitch · 10/05/2007 20:20

FIVE FIGURE SUM?!

DrDaddy · 10/05/2007 20:20

Who's Gina Ford?

WideWebWitch · 10/05/2007 20:23

How very reasonable!

marthamoo · 10/05/2007 20:26

Glad it's over - it must be a relief.

As for me, personally - didn't want to talk about her before; don't want to talk about her now. Until MN she barely blipped on my parenting radar...I have views about her now of course, but, as I said, I do not wish to talk about them

WideWebWitch · 10/05/2007 20:28

I like your quote in the Guardian Justine, perfect.

And I LIKE the look of the Silverjet ads on that page too, wow, I want a private jet!

imaginaryfriend · 10/05/2007 20:32

Fantastic, what a relief!

CorrieDale · 10/05/2007 20:34

Great news. It's a bugger about the costs though. And about the lifting of the ban in a way! All that non-publicity....