Day 186 - 10 Nov 95 - Page 50
1 MR. MORRIS: No, the point I am making is that you would have
2 thought "murder" is stronger than "responsible for the
3 death of", much stronger, because it implies something
4 vindictive or whatever. In fact, the law distinguishes
5 between murder and, what is the word, manslaughter.
6
7 MR. JUSTICE BELL: Let us keep off that.
8
9 MR. MORRIS: No, I understand, but what I am saying is, I am
10 saying that, as Mr. Rampton said, it is clearly within the
11 area of fair comment, and then the same would apply
12 to ------
13
14 MR. JUSTICE BELL: I have not gone anywhere near that. I am on
15 the defamatory meaning. I have certainly got to consider
16 justification if I find the meaning which is defamatory,
17 and I may have to consider fair comment, but that is well
18 down the line.
19
20 MR. MORRIS: Right. Yes. I think we are finished.
21
22 MR. JUSTICE BELL: Just take a moment and check that you have
23 dealt with everything or everything which you think is
24 important.
25
26 MR. MORRIS: I think we said all we have to say. I just want to
27 say that I remember when you said earlier on in the case
28 something about -- no, I will leave it.
29
30 MR. JUSTICE BELL: Thank you.
31
32 MR. RAMPTON: I hope I will finish by quarter past. Perhaps if
33 your Lordship would like to finish the argument today you
34 would allow ---
35
36 MR. JUSTICE BELL: I would, I think
37
38 MR. RAMPTON: -- a little over run.
39
40 MR. JUSTICE BELL: I am sorry if it inconveniences anyone on a
41 Friday afternoon ---
42
43 MR. RAMPTON: It does not concern me at all.
44
45 MR. JUSTICE BELL: -- any of the court staff or anyone but, we
46 will go on after quarter past.
47
48 MR. RAMPTON: I do not have a country estate to visit so it does
49 not matter! My Lord, can I say I really do not think
50 I need to answer very much of what was said today by the
51 Defendants, much of which (and I hope they do not take
52 offence), I have to say, I am afraid, I feel is in the
53 realms of fantasy if one is looking at what an ordinary
54 person with his feet on the ground would have made of this
55 leaflet. Therefore, a very great deal of what they said,
56 rightly or wrongly, I am afraid I shall simply ignore.
57 That is particularly so when one comes to the cartoon and
58 the headlines and other parts of the context. I will say
59 something about that.
60
