Green deputy leader receives apology and damages over false Harehills claims

A GB News presenter and a social media commentator have apologised to Green Party deputy leader Mothin Ali and agreed to pay him substantial damages after wrongly accusing him of taking part in disorder in Harehills.

Alex Armstrong and Bernadette Spofforth apologised for serious harm to Mr Ali's reputation and distress. The case was heard in the High Court, the BBC reported.

Mr Ali is a councillor on Leeds City Council. He has been deputy leader of the Green Party of England and Wales since 2025.

The dispute concerned posts on X about unrest in Harehills in July 2024. Trouble erupted on the evening of 18 July 2024 after police helped social workers taking four children into emergency foster care.

Mr Ali attended the unrest to assist police and appeal for calm. Social media posts later wrongly accused him of participating in the disorder.

Mr Ali brought defamation claims against Mr Armstrong and Ms Spofforth over the posts. Ms Spofforth is a businesswoman from the Chester area.

Both defendants accepted that the accusations were false. They agreed to pay substantial damages to Mr Ali.