''Scallywag'' magazine was published in London between 1991 and 1995. The subtitle of issues 1 - 6 was "Camden's only alternative community magazine". It sought to publish controversial journalism which other satirical and investigative publications (such as ''

Private Eye ''Private Eye'' is a British fortnightly satire, satirical and current affairs (news format), current affairs news magazine, founded in 1961. It is published in London and has been edited by Ian Hislop since 1986. The publication is widely r ...

'') were said to be unwilling to publish over fears of litigation. It was founded and edited by

Simon Regan Simon Regan (7 August 1942 – 8 August 2000) was a British journalist best known for founding ''Scallywag'' magazine, which deliberately took risks with libellous articles about public figures. He also worked on the ''News of the World'' and lat ...

and

Angus James Angus may refer to: Media * ''Angus'' (film), a 1995 film * ''Angus Og'' (comics), in the ''Daily Record'' Places Australia * Angus, New South Wales Canada * Angus, Ontario, a community in Essa, Ontario * East Angus, Quebec Scotland * An ...

, Regan's half-brother. A previous version was published in Dorset, and the first issue of the 'Camden Scallywag' says that the Dorset version was then "on edition 37". In 1993 it was sued under

English libel law Modern libel and slander laws in many countries are originally descended from English defamation law. The history of defamation law in England is somewhat obscure; civil actions for damages seem to have been relatively frequent as far back as th ...

by the then

Prime Minister of the United Kingdom The prime minister of the United Kingdom is the head of government of the United Kingdom. The prime minister advises the sovereign on the exercise of much of the royal prerogative, chairs the Cabinet and selects its ministers. As modern pr ...

John Major Sir John Major (born 29 March 1943) is a British former politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Conservative Party (UK), Leader of the Conservative Party from 1990 to 1997, and as Member of Parliament ...

, over reporting rumours that he had had an affair with a

Downing Street Downing Street is a street in Westminster in London that houses the official residences and offices of the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Situated off Whitehall, it is long, and a few minutes' walk ...

caterer, even though it had said the allegations were false. By also suing the magazine's distributors, he received a settlement from them, and they passed the costs onto the magazine. ''Scallywag's'' financial position never recovered. At least 30 issues were published. Nos 1 - 3 were undated, no. 4 is dated February 1992, nos 27 - 30 are dated 1995. No 12, which was the magazine that contained the article "Take-Away Midnight Feasts At Number 10" that John Major sued over, is dated January 1993. A number of issues have been archived.Scallywag Archive
/ref>

References

{{Reflist 1991 establishments in the United Kingdom 1995 disestablishments in the United Kingdom Alternative magazines Satirical magazines published in the United Kingdom Defunct magazines published in the United Kingdom Magazines published in London Magazines established in 1991 Magazines disestablished in 1995