A politician who sued his rival for calling him 'Del Boy ' in a campaign leaflet is facing a £50,000 bill after dropping the lawsuit because he has 'developed thicker skin ' . Neil McEvoy launched the legal action after Labour opponent Michael Michael distributed a circular which had his photo superimposed onto the face of the Only Fools and Horses character . Plaid Cymru 's Neil McEvoy , a former deputy leader of Cardiff City Council , claimed the leaflet implied that he was 'not to be trusted ' . Neil McEvoy ( left ) is facing a £50,000 bill after launching legal action against Labour opponent Michael Michael ( right ) over a campaign leaflet which depicted him as Del Boy Only Fools and Horses . But a top judge found it was not defamatory to compare someone to David Jason 's on-screen character , instead labelling it 'the stuff of political disagreement ' . Mr McEvoy later withdrew his High Court libel case , saying he regretted bringing the action . But he has now been ordered to pay £50,000 of his rival 's legal costs . Speaking after the case , Mr McEvoy said : 'With hindsight , I now regret having started this action . ' I have developed a thicker skin , and in future if I dislike something written about me I will write a leaflet of my own instead of issuing a writ . ' I do n't think anyone has gained from this case going to court . This is the end of it , and it 's time to move on . ' A judge ruled that comparing Mr McEvoy to David Jason 's on-screen character was critical but not defamatory . The two councillors had become locked in a legal battle after the leaflet was distributed to around 2,000 homes in the Fairwater area of the Welsh capital . Mr McEvoy , a member of Welsh party Plaid Cymru , had claimed the leaflet 'questioned my probity ' . His lawyer David Hughes had argued : 'We all know who Del Boy is - Del Trotter is best described as a `` loveable rogue '' . 'The loveable element of Del Trotter 's character comes from his good humour , his linguistic faux-pas , the amusing incidents that befall him , and the fact that he is fictional . 'The newsletters entirely eliminate any suggestion that Councillor McEvoy is in any way loveable . That leaves him being described as a rogue . 'He 's not to be trusted . He 's a rogue . Which of us would like to be compared to Del Boy ? ' Mr Michael had maintained it was a 'light-hearted ' leaflet and that he was 'surprised ' anyone was offended by its content . He said he had received feedback that people 'enjoyed ' it . His lawyer Hugh Tomlinson QC argued that the comparison would not have been taken literally by residents . High Court Judge Andrew Keyser QC , sitting at Cardiff Civil Justice Centre , said the leaflet implied that Mr McEvoy was a ‘ money-loving and money-seeking entrepreneur ' who was ‘ prone to unrealistic fantasies and improbable business ideas ’ . But he ruled that it was not unusual or defamatory to suggest that politicians ' policies are fantasies , or lacking in realism . He said : 'The picture and words do not mean the claimant is a roguish character . ' Mr McEvoy , who withdrew the case on legal advice , is covered by libel insurance .
Neil McEvoy launched the action against Labour opponent Michael Michael . He distributed leaflet with Mr McEvoy 's photo imposed onto Del Boy face . Plaid Cymru 's Mr McEvoy claimed it implied that he was 'not to be trusted ' But Cardiff High Court judge labelled it 'the stuff of political disagreement ' Mr McEvoy said he 'regrets ' suing and said he has 'developed thicker skin '