Craig Murray, the former British Ambassador to Uzbekistan, became a bestselling author with his frank account of his time in the country, which included shocking accusations of government complicity in human rights abuse. The book, Murder in Samarkand, became a bestseller. But Murray's new book has been dropped
by his publisher because of fears of a libel suit from someone named in the book. Murray, never one to mince words decided to publish the book on his website.
The Catholic Orangemen of Togo was originally lined up to be published last August. However, following the threat of legal action from Schillings lawyers acting for Aegis founder Lieutenant-Colonel Tim Spicer, who is named in the book, Murray's publisher Mainstream decided to drop it. "We couldn't reach an agreement with Craig about content," said Mainstream publisher Bill Campbell, who described Murray as "never one for being shy". "It was very amicable. We all decided that we would walk away ... and he would publish himself."
Murray has made the 226-page book available for free on his website and other sites across the internet, as well as self-publishing a number of hard copies which he is selling for £17.99. He says that 15,000 people downloaded the book in the first day. "There's been a lot of interest," said Murray, who is now rector of the University of Dundee after he was sacked from his position in Uzbekistan after criticising the country's human rights record. "Murder in Samarkand sold about 23,000, which is not bad for non-fiction - this is just from my site which downloaded 15,000 on day one. The whole point is that I'm trying to smash the libel laws."
Murray thinks he won't be sued and so far the book is still available at his website.
