Elton John is a sensitive soul. He doesn't like it when those nasty people at The Guardian publish satirical diaries purporting to be his, in which they suggest that his devotion to lavish charity parties may involve some measure of self-love as well as altruism. That's mean!

Fortunately for Lord Elton, he lives in Old Blighty, which has a legal system famously hospitable to disagreeable and sensitive persons wishing to suppress criticism.

Unfortunately for Sir Elton, the judge in his case seems to have stumbled across both a spine and a rudimentary grasp of freedom of expression.

In a groundbreaking libel decision, the judge said that "irony" and "teasing" do not amount to defamation. The ruling offers protection to writers of satirical articles clearly not meant to be taken seriously and was welcomed last night by media lawyers and journalists.

It's … well, odd that the concept that irony and satire are not defamatory could be "groundbreaking," but hey … baby steps. And please bear in mind that the British legal system is clearly superior on one count — as the loser of this case, whining little prat Sir Elton will have to pay the Guardian its costs. The Guardian needs that money; people willing and eager to write longing emo prose about Hamas don't come cheap.

Via Overlawyered.

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