Mr Allason also had a previous expensive reverse when a High Court judge threw out a claim of malicious falsehood against the Daily Mirror in 1996.

ECONOMIST: Has he got writs for you

Last year it failed in its attempt to sue the BBC's Top Gear having claimed libel and "malicious falsehood" following the TV programme's 2008 review of its Roadster model.

BBC: Tesla says New York Times electric car review 'fake'