David Irving comments

NOT sure what point you
are making, Richard, unless you are thinking, in
your confusion, that by suing them for libel I
was trying to enrich myself at the expense of
Lipstadt and the richest publishing firm on
earth, Penguin Books (aka Pearson
International). Lipstadt has certainly gone
around the world whining that I was suing her
for immense damages for her libels.

In fact precisely to avoid that allegation you will find that I did not ask for damages for myself; in my offer to both defendants I said I would withdraw the action if they paid a modest sum —
£500 (roughly $800) — to a charity for the limbless, in memory of my oldest daughter; and at the end of my closing address to the court in
March 2000 I stated that I would not even be asking for my legal costs.

It was a matter of principle. Penguin Books wanted to settle on these terms, but the solicitors for Lipstadt threatened them with legal action if they did not stay the course: they ended up some six million dollars
out of pocket in consequence. It should be taken as a lesson by others not to tangle with me.

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