Day 248 - 13 May 96 - Page 11
1 and especially their links with the Conservative Party.
2
3 MR. JUSTICE BELL: No, I do not understand this. That is not
4 going to help me one jot. It really is not.
5
6 MR. MORRIS: Am I able to put the question to what ----
7
8 MR. JUSTICE BELL: No, you have to stick to matters which might
9 help me come to a rational conclusion on the issues in the
10 case. I am not interested in political parties one bit in
11 relation to this case.
12
13 MR. MORRIS: Yes. As long as it is pointed out that if the
14 Plaintiffs wish to ask us about our political associations
15 that would be deemed as relevant as well.
16
17 MR. JUSTICE BELL: If they do, I will look at the context in
18 which they are asked and if you object to it I will rule
19 whether it is relevant or not. But I really cannot see
20 that it is going to help me whether McDonald's allies
21 itself, if it does, with one or other of the major
22 political parties in this country. If it crops up in your
23 evidence I will deal with it then.
24
25 MR. MORRIS: Right.
26
27 MS. STEEL: Just one point, sort of slightly on that: Scope
28 Communications who you now hire?
29 A. Yes.
30
31 Q. They are one of the companies that was investigated for
32 cash for questions in Parliament are they not?
33 A. I do not know.
34
35 Q. You do not know?
36 A. Were they?
37
38 Q. You are aware that they give money to MPs in Parliament?
39 A. The Scope practices and those of their people is
40 entirely to them, it is nothing to do with me.
41
42 Q. On the question of litigation, not just about this case, is
43 it Mr. Nicholson who liaises with the solicitors, the
44 Company solicitors, on all matters of litigation?
45 A. He handles it for the most part, and when it becomes
46 decision time I will involve myself.
47
48 Q. Right. But you basically just get involved to give the yes
49 or no, you do not get involved in the nitty-gritty of
50 preparation and work?
51 A. I get involved as it relates to myself and statements
52 I may or may not have to do. I do not get involved in
53 someone else's statements or words, that is a matter for
54 them.
55
56 Q. Right. But you are not involved in giving the Company
57 information... Sorry, in the Company giving information to
58 the solicitors about an article that is being seen or
59 whether or not an article is true, or something like that,
60 it is Mr. Nicholson that deals with that is it?
