Journalist at centre of John Furlong libel case fires back

VANCOUVER – The freelance journalist who first wrote about abuse allegations involving former Olympic CEO John Furlong insists it is her reputation that has been damaged and she’s eager to go to trial against Furlong.

Laura Robinson authored an article in the Georgia Straight newspaper last year that alleged Furlong verbally and physically abused students while he was a teacher in northern B.C. in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Earlier this year, three people who claimed to be former students, including at least one who appeared in Robinson’s original article, filed lawsuits containing explosive allegations of physical and sexual abuse.

Furlong went on the offensive this week in a series of media interviews, categorically denying any wrongdoing and casting Robinson as a vindictive journalist who has published false allegations as part of a personal vendetta against him.

Robinson says in a statement that she’s eager to defend the article in court, and she accuses Furlong of wrongly attacking her reputation.

The statement claims Furlong is stalling the legal action, and she says her lawyer will file a motion to have it discontinued due to what she describes as Furlong’s inaction.