A man was awarded €5,000 in libel damages today after he was falsely described in a blog as having been an accomplice of right-wing ex­tremist Anders Breivik, who shot and killed 77 in a rampage in Norway in July 2011.

The case was instituted by Alan Derek Ayling, also known as Alan Lake, against Paul Adam Cinato, also known as Paul Ray.

Alan Derek Ayling - Paul Ray

Mr Ayling complained of three blogs on the Lionheart UK website, uploaded in April and May 2012. One was entitled Alan Lake Food for thought and the other Alan Lake: a profile and the third A successful coup in Norway or a Marxist dictatorship.

Mr Cinato had a Maltese ID card and was registered as living here.  He never appeared in court to contest the charges or give his version.

Mr Ayling said he had met the accused twice in London to discuss political issues. He said Mr Cinato had waged a personal campaign against him.

Cinato had accused him of being Breivik's mentor.

The smears had caused him to leave his job at the European Bank for Resources and Development and his wedding was also called off.

The court said that although Mr Ayling had beliefs which one might not agree with, as shown shown on his own website, there was no doubt that the comments made against him by Mr Cinato were harmful and had caused damages.