Ryanair sues former pilot for defamation

Employee defending action over comments made in TV programme

Ryanair is suing a former pilot for defamation over remarks which the airline alleges wrongly meant it compromises the lives and safety of its passengers.

Ian Somner is defending the action on grounds that what he said was “honest opinion” pertaining to a matter of public interest — the alleged “adverse effect” of Ryanair’s corporate culture on passenger safety.