The Court of Appeal in Singapore has cut the libel damages awarded against an opposition politician for calling the prime minister, Goh Chok Tong, and other leaders of the ruling People's Action Party, liars.

The three appeal court judges said the original damages of more than five million US dollars against the politician, Tang Liang Hong, were overblown and hugely disproportionate to the injury caused.

They reduced the award to two-point-three million dollars.

Mr Tang was an unsuccessful candidate for the Worker's Party in general elections last January.

He'd accused his critics of lying after the PAP leadership branded him a dangerous chauvinist whose views could upset Singapore's multi-racial balance.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service