SARK Newsletter publisher Kevin Delaney faces legal action by the BBC, it emerged yesterday.

‘As the editor… I am being threatened with libel proceedings by the BBC for my campaign for freedom of speech and my defence of the freedom of the press,’ he said.

Mr Delaney, pictured, also managing director for Sir David and Sir Frederick’s Sark investment company, Sark Estate Management, yesterday published a string of emails between his lawyer and Tom Giles, the editor of Panorama.

He did so despite suggestions from Mr Giles that publication of accusations Mr Delaney levelled at Panorama journalist John Sweeney would be defamatory and would lead to the BBC considering its legal options.

‘The proceedings of libel against the editor of the Sark Newsletter will make interesting reading and will attract a great deal of publicity,’ Mr Delaney said in a special edition of the newsletter yesterday.