George Carman dies at 71

Most famous barrister of his generation loses cancer battle

George Carman QC, the most famous courtroom advocate of his generation, died yesterday aged 71 after a lengthy battle with prostate cancer .

The celebrated barrister, who appeared in many of the most noted libel cases of the last 10 years, winning the majority of them, finally lost a four-and-a-half year battle with the disease. His illness only became public knowledge last September, after he was forced into sudden retirement on medical advice.

Mr Carman, who first came to prominence defending the former Liberal leader Jeremy Thorpe on charges of conspiracy to kill and incitement to murder, moved to the libel courts late in life. But he built up an unrivalled reputation - becoming the QC newspapers called first when a libel writ was in the offing.

He appeared for or against so many famous clients and adversaries that his name, unusually for a barrister, became as recognisable as theirs. His son, Dominic, said yesterday: "George was a small man but with his stage as a courtroom and his audience as the jury he was a giant among men."

He said his father's death had come sooner than expected. A few weeks ago he had spoken of a possible comeback, representing Sir Richard Branson against his unofficial biographer Tom Bower.

"He regretted enormously not being able to act for Richard Branson in his case. He was really looking forward to the challenge. His spirits were always in the courtroom. That is where he lived and that is where he came to life."

Ian Hislop, editor of Private Eye, said Mr Carman would be remembered for turning "the courtroom into melodrama". He added: "He was the first who understood it was about playing to the jury rather than convincing the judge. He was also almost fantastically lucky - he always had a surprise, an ace up his sleeve.

"He made the law seem interesting, which it isn't, and he played his part with enormous relish." His name became a threat in itself, he said, for those considering libel action.

In private life he was also very good company, said Mr Hislop. "He was very unpompous and very funny."

Alan Rusbridger, editor of the Guardian, said: "Every editor reached for George Carman when a writ arrived. He was the best jury advocate of his generation. Libel is such a lottery you could never be guaranteed to win, but with George on your side you certainly narrowed the odds."

Mr Carman represented the Guardian in the libel action brought by Jonathan Aitken which led to the former Conservative minister's imprisonment for perjury and perverting the course of justice.

In his last high profile victory, a year ago, he successfully defended the Harrods owner Mohammed Al Fayed, who was sued by Neil Hamilton over allegations that the former Tory MP took cash for asking parliamentary questions. Mr Carman famously described Mr Hamilton as "on the make and on the take".

Another leading QC, Anthony Scrivener, called Mr Carman "simply the best cross-examiner in the business".

One adversary, Jani Allan, the South African journalist who sued over allegations that she had had an affair with the neo-Nazi leader Eugene Terre-blanche, told him: "Whatever the award for libel, being cross examined by you would not make it enough money."

Mr Carman, who was divorced, died at his home in Wimbledon, south-west London. His close friend, Karen Phillips, said: "I am just glad he has gone quickly and he has not suffered at all and it's been very very peaceful."

Roy Amlot QC, chairman of the Bar Council, said: "He was undoubtedly one of the greatest advocates of our time and one of the few members of the bar to become a household name through his work."

Cases that hit the front pages:

Jeremy Thorpe trial, 1979

The Liberal leader was accused of conspiring to murder Norman Scott, a former model who claimed to have had a homosexual relationship with the North Devon MP. The prosecution alleged the plot was hatched to stop Scott jeopardising Thorpe's political career. But Carman argued the MP's career was already in shreds. The jury returned a verdict of not guilty.

Sonia Sutcliffe v News of the World, 1990

The wife of the Yorkshire Ripper lost her libel claim over News of the World allegations that she had an affair with a Greek holiday company chief who resembled her husband

During the hearing, Carman claimed she had courted the press for financial gain before listing the £334,000 damages she had obtained in actions against newspapers. His verdict of her that "she danced on the graves of her husband's victims. She is a clever, confident, cold and calculating woman... The truth and Sonia do not make good bedfellows," was enough to convince the jury.

Gillian Taylforth v the Sun, 1994

One of Carman's most celebrated victories, the EastEnders actress lost her libel over a report that she had performed oral sex on her fiance in a layby on the A1 after the QC produced one of his famous 11th-hour rabbits from a hat: a video of Ms Taylforth holding a bottle proclaiming to her fellow partygoers "I give good head".

When the jury foreman read out the verdict she collapsed and had to be stretchered out of court.

Jonathan Aitken v the Guardian, 1997

In one of the most spectacular collapses in legal history, the former cabinet minister was imprisoned for perjury and perverting the course of justice after it emerged he had lied under oath about who had paid for a weekend stay at the Ritz hotel in Paris.

Once again Carman unveiled a last minute exocet - this time travel documents from British Airways that showed his wife - whom he claimed had paid the bill - and daughter were never in Paris that weekend but actually in Switzerland. Aitken had also got his daughter to sign a false witness statement verifying his version of events.

Neil Hamilton v Al Fayed, 1999

George Carman's last great libel victory came after Neil Hamilton, the former Tory MP, sued Mohamed Al Fayed, over allegations that he had taken up to £50,000 in cash from the owner of Harrod's to do his bidding in Parliament.

Carman destroyed Hamilton in the witness box, lovingly re-creating every morsel of food and sip of vintage champagne the former minister and his wife, Christine, enjoyed during a free visit to Fayed's Ritz hotel in Paris.

His description of Hamilton as a man "on the make and on the take" and "a man with no honour left," were enough to persuade the jury to find against the former MP.

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