Bob Ainsworth sues over pirate claim

Friday 07 January 2011 01:00 GMT

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The former defence secretary Bob Ainsworth is suing the Daily Mail over the newspaper's claims that he "bungled" the case of Paul and Rachel Chandler, who were captured by Somali pirates.

The Labour MP for Coventry North East is suing the paper's publishers Associated Newspapers after it ran an article claiming he was personally responsible for missing two opportunities to rescue the Chandlers under the headline: "Bob the bungler blew TWO chances to save couple held by pirates."

A writ issued by Mr Ainsworth says the article amounted to an accusation of gross incompetence on his part.

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Bob Ainsworth sues over pirate claim

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