Two Sunday Times journalists have won permission to appeal against a high court judge's finding that they defamed Conservative party co-treasurer Peter Cruddas.
Lord Justice Maurice Kay and Lord Justice Laws, sitting in the appeal court, gave the pair - Insight reporters John Calvert and Heidi Blake - permission to appeal against the previous finding by Mr Justice Tugendhat.
He found that they had defamed Cruddas with "cash for access" allegations and suggestions that he was prepared to accept foreign donations to the Conservative party, and that they were liable for malicious falsehood, having had "a dominant intention to injure Mr Cruddas".
The decision follows Lady Justice Sharp's refusal in November last year to allow permission to appeal.
Cruddas sued the paper over three of five stories that appeared in the newspaper on 25 March, 2012. One, on the front page, was headlined "Tory treasurer charges £250,000 to meet PM" with a sub-heading: "Cameron's fundraiser forced to resign".
A Sunday Times spokesperson said: "The Sunday Times is pleased that the court of appeal has given leave to appeal on this public interest case.
"The report, by our award-winning investigations team, raised important issues of political significance so we are glad to have the opportunity to continue our legal challenge to the decision of Mr Justice Tugendhat."
Source: PA Media Lawyer
