''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'') were said to be unwilling to publish over fears of litigation. It was founded and edited by
Simon Regan and
Angus James, 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,
John Major, over reporting rumours that he had had an affair with a
Downing Street 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A number of issues have been archived.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
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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