Woman agrees to pay libel damages to firefighter over tweets

University union boss agrees to pay libel damages to firefighter over tweets falsely portraying him as ‘a misogynist, pervert and liar’ after he asked a group of women on a train to stop swearing in front of his children

• Paul Embery launched libel claim against Dr Jo Grady, general secretary of UCU 

A union boss has agreed to pay ‘substantial damages’ to a firefighter over tweets he claims falsely portrayed him as ‘a misogynist, a pervert and a liar’, the High Court has been told. 

Paul Embery launched a libel claim against Dr Jo Grady, general secretary of the University and College Union (UCU), after the pair clashed on Twitter last year.

Mr Embery, who was travelling on a train from London to Norwich with his children, publicly called out a group of women for alleged anti-social behaviour, which he claims involved drunken threats and the use of ‘sexually explicit profanities’. 

The tweet ‘went viral’ and was seen by over a million people, including Dr Grady who accused him of being ‘creepy’ and ‘bullying women’. Her responses were shared several times and caused ‘immeasurable harm’ to his reputation, the court heard.

It was revealed today that Dr Grady has agreed to pay damages, legal costs and not to repeat her allegations. Mr Embery claims he will receive just under £10,000, all of which will be donated to groups campaigning to defend women’s sex-based rights.

Paul Embery (pictured) launched a libel claim against Dr Jo Grady, general secretary of the University and College Union (UCU), after the pair clashed on Twitter last year

It was revealed today that Jo Grady (pictured) has agreed to pay damages, legal costs and not to repeat her allegations

The firefighter and trade union activist had been travelling with his children from London to Norwich in August 2022 where ‘a group of women sitting directly behind them were consuming alcohol and behaving in a loud and obnoxious manner’.

Tom Double, representing Mr Embery, told the court: ‘One woman in particular was repeatedly using sexually explicit profanities. 

‘Mr Embery considered it unacceptable that passengers, including his own children, should be subjected to this behaviour, so eventually he intervened and politely asked the women to refrain from swearing.’

His request was met with ‘hostility and abuse’ and, despite a train guard intervening, their ‘loutish’ behaviour continued, which included Mr Embery being warned he would be ‘knocked out’ and being threatened with a beer bottle, the court heard.

Mr Embery filmed the group on his phone, and tweeted a photo of them to train operator Greater Anglia in the hope it would ‘take action’ against the women.

Over the next two days, Dr Grady published tweets, with one saying: ‘Grow up Paul and take a day off bullying women and pretending to be outraged for clicks. It’s pathetic at any age, but especially yours.’

She also tweeted: ‘It’s creepy to record young women on the train, share that video, and lie about them on social media for clout.’

Mr Double claimed the tweets from the ‘highly influential figure’ had accused Mr Embery of ‘being a serial harasser of women and lying about the incident in question’.

Paul Embery posted on Twitter: ‘Woman (right) on train from London to Norwich. Drunk out of her head. Shouting and swearing in front of children’ 

The lawyer said they were retweeted and ‘liked’ thousands of times causing ‘immeasurable harm’ to the firefighter’s reputation.

‘They portrayed him as a misogynist, a pervert and a liar, when all he was doing was seeking to defend himself, his children and fellow passengers from rowdy and threatening behaviour on public transport,’ Mr Double said.

‘They contained wild and reckless allegations; all entirely without foundation.

‘Mr Embery has always been a vocal public supporter of women’s rights and deplores all bullying and violence towards women and girls.’

Mr Double said Dr Grady’s allegations caused ‘considerable distress’, adding that Mr Embery had given an ‘honest’ account of the train incident, did not share the video on social media and had been solely motivated to report anti-social behaviour.

‘His tweet highlighted a very real problem that ordinary, decent passengers face every day on public transport,’ the court heard.

Dr Grady refused to apologise and withdraw her allegations after Mr Embery wrote to her, the judge was told, with the firefighter subsequently pursuing legal action.

He then launched a fundraising campaign on crowdjustice.com. It took him just eight days to raise the £24,000 needed to sue Dr Grady, The Mirror reported.

Mr Embery posted the results on Twitter after he claims he was falsely portrayed 

At a hearing in London today, Judge Jaron Lewis was told that Mr Embery was ‘prepared to let the matter rest’ after Dr Grady agreed to pay damages, legal costs and not to repeat her allegations.

‘Dr Grady has now agreed to pay Mr Embery substantial damages and legal costs. She has additionally undertaken not to repeat the allegations or similar allegations,’ Mr Double said. 

Speaking to journalists afterwards, Mr Embery claimed he would receive just under £10,000 in damages, with Dr Grady having to pay over £12,000 in costs. 

He also told reporters that he would donate ‘every penny’ of his damages to charities and ‘publish full details of the donations when they are made’. 

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