Councillor faces £20,000 libel bill over finger gesture claim

Andrew Peake, a former parish councillor in Fleggburgh, has been ordered to pay £20,000 in libel damages to Dr. James Miller, the village clerk, after a series of defamatory posts on Peake's Facebook page, 'Fleggburgh Eye.' The High Court found that Peake made repeated accusations against Miller, branding him a 'dishonest, scheming, devious and threatening liar' over a nine-month period, including unfounded claims that Miller had given him the middle finger during a council meeting. Judge Richard Parkes ruled that Peake failed to prove the truth of his allegations, noting that the social media posts escalated the conflict and contributed to the legal battle. Peake had initially sought to expose what he perceived as secretive decision-making at the council, but the judge concluded his behavior reflected a strong personal dislike for Miller. This legal dispute highlights the impact of social media on local governance and personal relationships within small communities. The tensions between the two men date back to Peake's election to the council in 2017, with Miller serving as clerk from 2019 to 2021.