Gavin millar QC rises on behalf of Ms Cadwalladr
Says it is important to look at the "ted talk" as a whole, not just a few sentences of it in isolation.
Millar says that the sentence complained of (The lies comment) is preceded by a question about alleged oreign funding of Leave EU the Brexit referendum.
Notes statement is full contains the phrase "there are reasonable grounds to suspect."
Says point of the ted talk was to say "this all must be investigated."
Argues Bank's is stretching the sentence complained of beyond what a reasonable viewer would take from it.
Millar says Banks was offered a "gold and diamond deal," at the Russian embassy.
Millar, "the claimant's (Banks) submission is utterly hopeless."
Says that the "gold and diamond deal," was offered by the Russian embassy in the same week as the launch of Leave EU.
Millar notes Cardwalladr says in the talk "whatever was going on at the embassy,"
Says that Vote Leave has been fined for breaches of election rules, and has been reported to the police
Millar says his client was opening a discussion not making a categorical statement of fact.
Says the sentence in question was about the Russian government, their offer to Banks, argues not defamatory against him.
Judge asks if there is a distinction between "reasonable grounds to investigate," and "serious grounds to investigate."
Millar notes it was the electoral comission that reported Vote Leave to the police.
Millar on Banks claims: "It verges on John le Carre."
Says tweet on Italian case (the second tweet) was clearly comment
Again, Millar argues, was merely saying there were grounds for investigation "it goes no higher."
