Daily London
Abdel-Fattah said her lawyers have issued a defamation concerns notice following several statements Malinauskas made about her.
Abdel-Fattah described a statement made by Malinauskas yesterday as a “vicious personal assault” and claimed it was defamatory.
“Enough is enough. I am a human being, not a punching bag,” Abdel-Fattah wrote in a social media post.
“My lawyers have today issued a concerns notice under the Defamation Act on Premier Malinauskas.
“This is his opportunity to undo some of the harm he has inflicted, and stop punching down.”
Malinauskas said he was “not aware” of any concerns notice while speaking at a press conference today.
“Every step of this journey, all of my remarks and indeed actions, I have strived for compassion,” the premier said.
“People will be able to judge my remarks for themselves.”
The premier described the decision to cancel the festival as “unfortunate” but acknowledged it was out of his control.
“There are different views and all should have a place to be spoken freely,” he added.
More than 180 writers, including former New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern, Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Percival Everett, Booker Prize-shortlisted British author Zadie Smith and former Greek finance minister Yanis Varoufakis, pulled out of the event in protest after Abdel-Fattah was dropped from the line-up.
All members of the board resigned following the swift backlash and yesterday it was announced the entire event had been cancelled.
Abdel-Fattah has also engaged lawyers as she seeks an explanation for the decision to cancel her scheduled event.
