Journalist stands over articles about former soccer star

Journalist Mick McCaffrey yesterday told the High Court he “stands over” articles he wrote saying former Premier League footballer David Speedie associated with criminals.

While he never said Mr Speedie was a criminal, it was true to say he associated with a gangland figure, Mr McCaffrey said.

“I did not say he was a criminal but that he was associated with Ritchie Thompson, a senior member of ‘Fat’ Freddy Thompson’s gang”, he said.