Rahman Lowe secure significant compensation from Baroness who falsely accused University Challenge student of antisemitism over Blue Octopus mascot

Melika Gorgianeh, a second-year Astrophysics PhD at Christ Church, Oxford University, has won substantial damages and a published retraction and apology for allegations made by Baroness Jacqueline Foster.

She instructed Zillur Rahman of Rahman Lowe Solicitors and barrister Zac Sammour of 11 KBW to bring a claim for libel and harassment against Baroness Foster for statements she published on 20 November 2023 on the social media platform, ‘X’.

On 20 November 2023, the BBC broadcast an episode of the well-known quiz show, “University Challenge”, in which Ms Gorgianeh appeared as part of a four-person team (“the Team”) representing Christ Church College, Oxford. The Team’s mascot was a blue octopus.

Despite (1) being in a team of four (2) the fact that the episode was filmed some months earlier in March 2023, and (3) the fact that the jacket worn by Ms Gorgianeh on the show was navy blue, orange, pink and green Baroness Foster took to X to single Ms Gorgianeh out as  wearing the colours of the Palestinian flag, and being responsible for the Team mascot, which Baroness Foster described as being the most “disgusting antisemitic symbols” and calling for Ms Gorgianeh to be “expelled” by her university and “arrested” by the police. She also tagged in the Prime Minister, Home Secretary, Ofcom, the BBC and Oxford University to her post.

In the week commencing 27 November 2023, Ms Gorgianeh complained to the Commissioner of the House of Lords concerning Baroness Foster’s conduct. Her complaint was not upheld.

Following this, Baroness Foster posted an apology on X on 30 November 2023 to Ms Gorgianeh. Although she apologised for making statements which were “inaccurate” and “unfounded”, and for the “distress” that she caused, there was no reference to actual allegations that she had made about Ms Gorgianeh. Baroness Foster further sent a letter of apology to Ms Gorgianeh on 01 December 2023. Although the letter acknowledged that the statement she had posted about Ms Gorgianeh was “completely untrue”, once again, the letter lacked any specificity as to the allegations made against Ms Gorgianeh.

In Baroness Foster’s apology on the conclusion of this case however, she now accepts that each one of those allegations are “completely false and unfounded”, apologises for the distress caused to her, and confirms that she is paying her damages and legal costs.

In Baroness Foster’s apology, published on her X page today, she states:

“Following my public apology on X on 30 November 2023, and my private apology by personal letter on 1 December 2023, I wish to apologise to Ms Gorgianeh for my part in posts made about her on X on 20 November 2023, following the @BBC’s airing of the University Challenge programme. I wrongly alleged that Ms Gorgianeh chose one of the most disgusting antisemitic symbols, a blue Octopus as her team’s mascot, which I held her responsible for. I accept that these allegations were completely false and unfounded. I made a grave mistake in making those posts and I should not have done so. I again deeply apologise to Ms Gorgianeh for these allegations and any distress caused to her. We have since reached an amicable resolution. I do hope this goes some way in mitigating what has been a most distressing time for her. I have agreed to pay her substantial damages and costs. FYI @ChCh_Oxford @Ofcom @10DowningStreet @JamesCleverly.”

The apology can be found here.

Commenting on the successful outcome, Ms Gorgianeh said:

“Last November, I was falsely accused by a prominent parliamentarian of displaying an antisemitic symbol on University Challenge. I did no such thing, and I am glad that Baroness Foster has now publicly acknowledged that the allegations she made about me were completely false.

The false allegation of antisemitism has had a profound and deeply damaging impact on my life. I was a student appearing on my favourite TV quiz show. All of a sudden, lies told about me, and only me, led to me receiving death threats and to my mental health deteriorating.

Baroness Foster’s posts, and the posts of others who are yet to be held to account, affected both myself and my family. I felt unsafe to even leave my house.  Nobody should ever have to feel how I felt or go through what I went through. Words have consequences. And now, through her apology, Baroness Fosters’ words begin to have the consequence of healing the very real damage that had been done to me.

This vindication would not have been possible if it wasn’t for the continued efforts of my exceptional legal team at Rahman Lowe, especially Zillur Rahman, who went above and beyond in helping me. I’m extremely grateful for all their support and hard work.”

Zillur Rahman, Ms Gorgianeh’s solicitor, said:

“It is obvious, but worth emphasising, that statements made by a person in a position of power, authority and respect, carry far greater weight and are liable to have a far greater impact than those made by less prominent figures. Baroness Foster holds a DBE, and as a lifetime peer, she is quite literally a member of the ruling class of British society. Members of the public would expect a person in her position to make serious allegations only when there is a sound basis for doing so. The very many people who read the Baroness’ post would therefore have believed that our client was antisemitic and guilty of criminally deploying Nazi propaganda. It is deeply disturbing that once again, we see a senior figure in UK politics, a peer of the House of Lords no less, attacking and weaponizing antisemitism against a young female Muslim student in this way. Baroness Foster’s apology, and her payment of substantial damages, goes some way to healing the damage that she has caused to our client.”

Rahman Lowe’s client’s claim has attracted considerable press attention and the case has been reported in all the major newspapers, including the Times, Guardian and Al Jazeera News.

Our extensive experience of acting in high-profile defamation cases means that we are particularly well placed to advise clients whose cases may reach the public eye and to advise on associated matters such as reputation management.

For further information or to discuss a potential claim, please contact us on 020 3950 5234 or info@rllaw.co.uk. We are ranked as a ‘Leading Firm’ in the Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners independent guides to the UK Legal Profession.

06 March 2024