Northern Ireland

Jamie Bryson suing Twitter 'troll' forced to pay six-figure sum to Stephen Nolan for libel

Jamie Bryson has instructed solicitors to take legal action against the person behind the 'Pastor Jimberoo' twitter account
Jamie Bryson has instructed solicitors to take legal action against the person behind the 'Pastor Jimberoo' twitter account Jamie Bryson has instructed solicitors to take legal action against the person behind the 'Pastor Jimberoo' twitter account

LOYALIST blogger Jamie Bryson is suing a social media 'troll' who was forced to pay BBC broadcaster Stephen Nolan a six-figure sum for false and defamatory comments.

Mr Bryson said he had been targeted "relentlessly" by the 'Pastor Jimerboo' Twitter account and that he is pursuing taking legal action.

Last week, Mr Nolan confirmed he received the payout and an unreserved apology from the person behind the same account who led a "malicious campaign" against him.

The BBC presenter agreed to the man's request for anonymity after he expressed concerns for his own personal security.

Mr Bryson told The News Letter he instructed lawyers "to initiate proceedings against the individual now identified as being behind the ‘Pastor Jimberoo’ accounts".

"These social media trolling accounts targeted me relentlessly and obsessively with not only defamatory allegations, but with orchestrated harassment," he said.

"The Pastor Jimberoo account incessantly referred to me as a loyalist paramilitary and ‘UVF mouthpiece’ throughout his online trolling, allegations which I obviously strenuously deny.

"The first stage of this is for KRW Law to be contacted to provide the details of their trolling client for whom they act. Of course there is no privilege attached to the identity of clients. If this is not provided then a direction will be sought asking for the identity to be handed over."

Former DUP South Belfast MP Emma Little Pengelly also said she was repeatedly targeted online by the same individual - with him using a photograph of her as his Twitter profile at one point.

"He used my pic taken when I lost the Westminster seat as his profile pic for around a year, slagged me off, de-humanised me, ridiculed me, harassed me with 100s of tweets....," Ms Pengelly, who was also a special advisor to former First Minister Arlene Foster, posted on Twitter.

Last week it also emerged that Mr Nolan is to receive a further payout relating to second Twitter use who posted "completely untrue accusations".

Paul Tweed, the high-profile libel lawyer who represents Mr Nolan, said: "My client has agreed to accept a private apology and a five-figure settlement from another Twitter user, in acknowledgement of this individual’s comprehensive and frank expressions of regret.”

Mr Nolan said he was lucky he had the personal resources to track the individuals down.

"Not everybody has such support, but this should be a warning to all trolls - you will be tracked down," he said.