St. John's Mayor Andy Wells has lost another court battle concerning controversial comments involving another municipal politician.

The Newfoundland Supreme Court of Appeal has refused Wells's bid to appeal a 2004 decision by the trial division, which found Wells libelled Coun. Art Puddister by calling him a "shyster" during comments broadcast in December 2002 on CBC Radio.

St. John's Mayor Andy Wells has lost another court case involving controversial remarks.
(CBC)

Puddister was awarded $7,500 in damages, as well as part of his legal fees.

In March, Wells lost another battle at the Appeal Court. The higher court overturned a defamation case that Wells had won involving former councillor Paul Sears.

Wells went to court after Sears, in a December 2003 council meeting, accused the mayor of having been "bought" by supermarket giant Loblaws, in a reference to Wells's support for converting Memorial Stadium to a massive supermarket.

The Court of Appeal, however, found that Sears had qualified privilege in the council chambers.

Taxpayers in St. John's will have to pay the $50,000 deductible in legal costs in the Sears case not covered by insurance. Wells is responsible for his own legal bills.