TWO British National Party members have suffered a landmark defeat in their fight for libel damages from a magazine.

Former London mayoral candidate Christopher Roberts, of St Mary's Drive, Benfleet, and his brother Barry argued they were defamed by a 2003 article in the monthly Searchlight publication.

The piece, written by Gerry Gable, appeared in the News from the Sewers column, and reported allegations the Roberts brothers, who have both stood for Parliament, had threatened "to kneecap, torture and kill" various people after a bust-up within the BNP. He also alleged Christopher Roberts had stolen cash after a party rally.

The brothers vehemently denied there was any truth to the allegations, which were first aired by other BNP members, and argued they were defamatory.

They also said the article not only repeated untrue allegations, but "embellished" them as well.

But, at the High Court last year, Justice Eady ruled Searchlight had a defence of "qualified privilege", as the article was doing no more than reporting the activities of a political party already in the public domain.

He concluded publication was in the public interest, and threw out the libel claim.

Three appeal court judges agreed with Justice Eady, in an important ruling for press freedom.

Lord Justice Ward, sitting with Lord Justice Sedley and Lord Justice Moore-Bick, said: "This was attributed, neutral reporting of a story in the public interest."

Christopher and Barry Roberts, of Bromley, Kent, now face significant legal costs.