The jury failed to reach a verdict on the question of whether Arthur Kennedy was guilty of libelling Crofton Vandeleur. After a brief period as Poor Law Inspector at Kilkenny, Kennedy left the Poor Law Commission and entered the diplomatic service. He served as the British Government's representative in at least two West African countries, Vancouver Island, two Australian states and as Governor General of Hong Kong, for which he was awarded a knighthood by Queen Victoria.

Not surprisingly, he never...