Heinz-Christian Strache, leader of Austria’s Freedom Party (FPÖ), launched the lawsuit against Linkswende after they published a video of people insulting him and showing their middle fingers.

However, he was knocked back in the courts last December and his appeal before Vienna’s Higher Regional Court has now failed too.

Linkswende spokesman David Albrich has hailed the decision as “a victory both for freedom of speech and of the press”.