Rachel Riley gives evidence at libel and damages trial

Ms Riley, 35, has sued Laura Murray for libel and damages after claiming a tweet from March 2019, which described her as "dangerous and stupid", "incited" hate and caused people to try to get her sacked.

Ms Murray, who no longer works as an aide to Mr Corbyn, says in her defence that what she tweeted was true, and reflected her honestly held opinions.

Mr Justice Nicklin is overseeing a trial at the High Court in London, which began on Monday and is due to end tomorrow.

Ms Riley had initially posted a screenshot of a January 2019 tweet by Guardian columnist Owen Jones, about an attack on former British National Party leader Nick Griffin, which said: "I think sound life advice is, if you don't want eggs thrown at you, don't be a Nazi."

She had added "Good advice", with emojis of a red rose and an egg.

Later, Ms Murray tweeted: "Today Jeremy Corbyn went to his local mosque for Visit My Mosque Day, and was attacked by a Brexiteer. Rachel Riley tweets that Corbyn deserves to be violently attacked because he is a Nazi. This woman is as dangerous as she is stupid. Nobody should engage with her. Ever."

Mr Justice Nicklin ruled at an earlier hearing that Ms Murray's tweet was defamatory.

Giving evidence today, Ms Riley told the trial that she had been criticised by other Twitter users after posting the advice tweet.

Ms Riley told the judge: "I believe it was a dog whistle.

"There were however many people attacking me and telling me I was terrible and awful.

"Three hours later Laura Murray decides to take it to an extra layer."

She added: "I believe she was aware of what she was doing.

"She was aware that she would encourage more hate."

Mr Justice Nicklin has now been asked to consider whether serious harm was caused to Ms Riley's reputation, and whether Ms Murray had a defence of truth, honest opinion or public interest.