Trimble to pursue Amazon despite book withdrawal

Lawyers for Northern Ireland First Minister, David Trimble have confirmed this morning that they will press ahead with a libel action against Amazon UK, despite the Net retailer withdrawing a book on Trimble from sale in the UK.

In a statement issued yesterday, Amazon said it is reluctantly ceasing sale of the book - called 'The Committee: Political Assassinations in Northern Ireland' by Sean McPhilemy - because it is not in a position to defend allegedly defamatory comments contained in it. Amazon stressed that it has not broken any regulations or restrictions in selling the book in the UK.

However, Jason McCue, partner with law firm, Henry Hepworth, which is acting for Trimble, said the statement fell well short of what he was expecting. "It aggravated the situation, and implied that my client was in some way trying to hinder free speech."

McCue added: "We want a statement in court by means of an apology, and compensation."