Annie Robertson, a socialist and benefits rights campaigner, is suing social security officer Stephen Ash for libel. She alleges that he falsely and maliciously stated in a report that she was close to alcoholism, mentally unstable and cohabiting with Edward Rimmer and therefore ineligible for benefits. She denies all these claims and argues that Ash invented them when she resisted his sexual advances. By contrast Ash asserts that his comments were professional, honestly made and broadly true.
