Articles
Statement - Irving v Penguin Books Ltd and Professor D. Lipstadt
| Release Date: |
10 March 2000 |
| Author: |
Deborah Lipstadt |
Statement from Professor Deborah Lipstadt.
I am very pleased that what I wrote has been vindicated. I never had any doubts that it would be but nonetheless, I am gratified.
Let us remember that this trial was not about whether the Holocaust happened but whether I was correct in describing David Irving as a denier of the Holocaust, a Hitler partisan, an antisemite and right wing extremist.
The judge has found that I was correct on all these points. He found that Mr Irving's falsification of history was deliberate, "motivated by his desire to present events in a manner consistent with his own ideological beliefs". The judge decided that Irving is "an antisemite and a racist" and that he "associates regularly with extremist and neo-Nazi organisations and individuals".
This has been a long and difficult process. It is sad that my publisher, Penguin UK, and I had to go through these complex and arduous legal proceedings to prove that I was correct in my description of David Irving. I hope that this victory will save other authors from having to face such trials and tribulations. I see this not only as a personal victory but also as a victory for all those who speak out against hate and prejudice.
I want to pay particular tribute to Penguin and to Pearson for standing with me shoulder to shoulder throughout this process. While it was the right thing for a publisher to do, I am fully aware that many publishers would not have been so resolute in their support. I shall be eternally grateful to them not only for their support but for their ethical and moral stance. I also want to applaud the outstanding work done on this case by my solicitors, Anthony Julius and James Libson of Mishcon de Reya, and my barrister, Richard Rampton who was exceptionally well assisted by his Junior Counsel, Heather Rogers. For them and the other members of the defence team this was more than just a professional exercise.
It was a struggle for truth and for memory and a fight against those who sow the seeds of racism and antisemitism. They have pursued justice not just on my but on many people's behalf.