Northern Ireland

Stephen Nolan threatens legal action against 'vicious' internet trolls

Stephen Nolan has hit out against those who shared the image of him from November 2016. Picture by Hugh Russell
Stephen Nolan has hit out against those who shared the image of him from November 2016. Picture by Hugh Russell Stephen Nolan has hit out against those who shared the image of him from November 2016. Picture by Hugh Russell

BROADCASTER Stephen Nolan has offered those behind a "malicious social media campaign" against him the opportunity to apologise before he takes legal action.

It comes after an image of the radio and television host was shared on social media showing him dressed in white boxer shorts apparently on his knees on stage with a male.

Mr Nolan, who was working in America when the image was posted last week, said it was a video grab from a television show broadcast in November 2016.

"Internet trolls distorted a television image and then nastily and falsely used it to suggest I had been acting inappropriately in a foreign country," he said.

He said his legal team had "logged those cowards who shared, liked, retweeted or commented on this defamatory personal attack against me" and he would be taking action against them.

In a statement, the Belfast-born presenter said the image, which was recorded "in my capacity as a TV presenter", had been "twisted and distorted into lies".

"Those lies were then spread across social media this week with falsehood, in order to hurt me and cause me distress," he said.

"It is an extraordinary level of malicious vindictiveness.

"For those who retweeted or liked or shared the defamation, they too are vicious trolls who are no better than the keyboard warriors who created it.

"My legal team has logged those cowards who shared, liked, retweeted or commented on this defamatory personal attack against me.

"If they want to apologise, they would be wise to email my lawyer very quickly at ptweed@tweedlaw.co.uk.

"Bullying on the internet costs lives."

He added: "On behalf of all those children and adults who have found themselves bullied online, I will be using my strength and resources to legally pursue the trolls who defamed me so that they cannot bully anybody else."