Liberace Said To Have ‘bee In Bonnet” (Press, 18 June 1959)

On 18 June 1959, the High Court in London prepared to deliver a verdict in the libel case brought by American pianist Liberace against the "Daily Mirror" and its columnist, William Connor, known by the pen name "Cassandra." This marked the conclusion of a six-day trial, with Mr Justice Salmon finishing his summation, expected to last about another hour. Liberace accused the "Daily Mirror" of libelling him in an article from September 1956, which he claimed suggested he was homosexual. In his closing arguments, Gerald Gardiner, Q.C. for the newspaper, suggested that Liberace was overly sensitive about allegations concerning his sexuality, stating that he seemed to have a "bee in his bonnet" regarding such accusations. On the other hand, Gilbert Beyfus, Q.C. representing Liberace, characterised the "Daily Mirror" as aggressively sensationalist, labelling it as “vicious and violent; venomous and vindicative.” Beyfus urged the jury to make a significant damages award to discourage the newspaper's sensationalist practices, arguing for consequences that would impact its financial considerations. Justice Salmon highlighted the importance of fair comment and the rights of individuals to express their opinions robustly. He directed the jury to determine whether Connor sincerely held the views he expressed in his articles. The jury faced five specific questions relating to the meanings of the words used in the articles, including whether they implied that Liberace was homosexual, whether those words were true or fair comment, and if they constituted grounds for damages. The judge noted that Liberace had to convince the jury that the ordinary person would interpret Connor's words as indicating he was homosexual. While some more charged phrases could be disregarded, the jury needed to assess the overall meaning of the language used in the articles. In other news on the same day, significant diplomatic discussions were taking place in Athens regarding missile bases and the defence of the Balkan region, with talks between Greek officials and Jugoslav Foreign Minister Koca Popovic. This meeting coincided with growing tensions stemming from a Soviet push for an atomic-free zone in the Balkans amidst concerns about the siting of American rocket bases in neighbouring countries. Additionally, an editorial in Vatican City praised Queen Elizabeth II for appointing a Ghanaian officer, Major Joseph Edward Michel, as a royal equerry, highlighting the significance of this decision against the backdrop of ongoing racial tensions arising from a recent murder incident involving individuals of African descent in London. The editorial noted that the Queen's appointment provided a positive example amidst these issues.

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