Former Conservative Party leader Colin Craig has hinted at an appeal after being ordered yesterday to pay Taxpayers' Union executive director Jordan Williams almost $1.3 million in damages for defaming him.
Eleven jurors sitting in the High Court at Auckland ruled unanimously in favour of Mr Williams on both the counts of defamation he laid against Mr Craig.
They delivered their verdict after 10 hours of deliberations across two days.
Mr Craig's lawyer, Stephen Mills, asked the judge to delay passing down judgement, saying the jury had got the result and the damages wrong. They have been given two weeks to appeal.
Mr Craig said later he did not regret his actions and he was grateful for his "amazing wife'' Helen, who had stood by him.
Talking to Newstalk ZB's Chris Lynch, Mr Craig said after yesterday's outcome his first step would be to make submissions to the court, but he would also have to "deal with things at a personal level''.
Mr Craig said his wife stood by him throughout the defamation case, and she had been fully informed about the information that came out pertaining to his relationship with Rachel MacGregor, his former press secretary.
"I just have nothing but the greatest things that I can say about my wife Helen. She's amazing and she's with me through the whole thing. She has stood by me. She's amazing and I'm lucky."
Despite yesterday's decision, he told Newstalk he did not regret putting out the pamphlets. He said he had taken legal advice before putting them out, and thought it was his right to respond.
After the jury's ruling, Mr Craig and his legal team sat in a private room for about half an hour before leaving the court. He then walked outside holding hands with his wife. He stopped to speak with media briefly.
Mrs Craig said she had nothing to say on the ruling.
Asked whether he would seek an appeal of the decision, Mr Craig did not answer directly.
"As I understand it, the next issue is simply to put it back to the judge for further consideration. But that's with the legal team ... beyond that - we'll see what happens after that.''
Mr Craig was ordered to pay almost $1.3 million in damages. On count one, the jury ordered $400,000 be paid in compensation caused for the injury to Mr Williams' reputation and feelings and $90,000 in punitive damages for Mr Craig's "flagrant disregard'' of his rights.
On count two, they ruled Mr Craig pay $650,000 in compensation and $130,000 in punitive damages.
As the verdict was read, Mr Craig and his wife sat quietly while Mr Williams, supported by his mother and other family members, looked shocked and pleased.
Outside court, Mr Williams thanked his family and supporters. Mr Williams' lawyer, Peter McKnight, called his client "a lovely guy'' with a bright future.
