Blogger Jacqui Thompson's appeal dismissed

The dismissal by the Court of Appeal follows a hearing at the High Court last year where Mr Justice Tugendhat dismissed Llanwrda blogger Jacqui Thompson’s libel claim against Mr James while upholding his counter claim, awarding him £25,000 damages.

Claims of corruption made against Mr James were also dismissed. Mrs Thompson, of Llanwrda, now faces court costs of more than £200,000.

Mrs Thompson hit the headlines in June 2011, when was arrested by police at County Hall after filming proceedings in the council chamber.

She subsequently began writing entries on her blog which were found to be defamatory against Mr James.

Sitting at the Court of Appeal, Lord Justice Longmore, Lady Justice Black and Lord Justice Underhill all agreed to dismiss Mrs Thompson's appeal.

Giving her reaction, Mrs Thompson said: “I am now more than two and a half years down the line since the litigation began,

“The reason I have continued to fight on, is to show my total determination to seek justice and clear my name.”

However, she said the judgment and dismissal was something she “cannot accept but will have to live with”.

Mr James said: "I am obviously pleased that Mrs Thompson’s appeal was dismissed completely, and that the court agreed with the original judgement and views of the judge. They also awarded her to pay further costs for the appeal.

"Mrs Thompson has conducted a long-running campaign of harassment and defamation. She even resorted to attempting to pervert the course of justice in her obsessive desire to seek revenge for not getting planning permission.

"She started this ill-advised legal process and then refused to accept the original judgement of the High Court.

"It is time Mrs Thompson finally realised that she has done wrong, has been found by the High Court and Court of Appeal to have done wrong and cease her pointless campaign against the council and its officers."