Following accusations made against Jim Wells MLA at a Westminster election hustings event that took place in Downpatrick on 23rd April, Ms Dorothy ‘Dee’ Gardner from Dungannon has appeared in Downpatrick Magistrates Court on Monday and pleaded guilty to wasting police time by making false statements about Jim Wells MLA.
Ms Gardner’s statements were made to the Police following the Westminster election hustings event.
Commenting on the outcome of the court case Mr Wells said: “My reputation and political career were destroyed by a series of totally false reports of what I said at that hustings meeting. As a result of these I was for forced to resign as Health Minister and suffered months of online abuse.
“The full transcript and video of my speech and the notes of the five experienced reporters who covered the event clearly confirmed that I never made the alleged remarks.
“I am relieved by today’s guilty plea as it represents a first (but major) step towards my total vindication. It is the first in a series of court cases which I have instigated in order to clear my name and restore my reputation.
“I now hope that Ms Gardner and the other individuals who sought to destroy my reputation will now publicly apologize for the huge damage they have caused me over the last 14 months.
“The South Down Association of the DUP has given me their full support since the hustings event as have the electorate who returned me as their MLA on 5th May.
“I am very grateful to the small number of journalists who have stood by me during this very difficult period of my life. Their relentless pursuit of the truth about my case has been crucial in getting me to this stage.
“I will not rest until all those who were responsible for my downfall are brought to justice.”
