Telegraph's Rush appeal bid rejected

The Daily Telegraph has failed in its bid to appeal against a judge's decision to strike out parts of its defence in the Geoffrey Rush defamation case.

The Sydney tabloid's publisher, Nationwide News, and journalist Jonathon Moran on Friday sought leave to appeal against a decision by Federal Court Justice Michael Wigney to remove parts of its qualified privilege defence.

But three Federal Court judges found there wasn't sufficient doubt over Justice Wigney's decision and there would be no substantial injustice if leave wasn't granted.