Day 245 - 07 May 96 - Page 29
1 at the time.
2
3 There was an error made in one aspect. I have talked about
4 that previously in my amended statement, paragraph 16 and
5 17, and I stand by that.
6
7 Q. There are other aspects but we will come on to them. Just
8 one other point in this particular press release. This
9 press release is dated May 1994 and if you look at the last
10 page of it?
11 A. We are looking at number 3?
12
13 Q. Yes?
14 A. I have it.
15
16 Q. If you look at the part under, "There are a number of
17 additional issues which have been raised"?
18 A. Yes?
19
20 Q. Obviously, I dispute all of the points there, but
21 I particularly wanted to point you to the third paragraph
22 where it says:
23
24 "It has also been suggested that McDonald's has the unfair
25 benefit of legal advice. The group have long had the
26 informal support of lawyers and this was finalised with the
27 appointment of a City law firm and 2 specialised libel
28 barristers to advise them."
29
30 What impression are you trying to give there?
31 A. I am not trying to give any impression; I am stating a
32 fact.
33
34 Q. Are you trying to convey the impression that everything is
35 equal, that both sides have got representation, and it is a
36 completely equal battle?
37 A. Ms. Steel, in a court of law in a democratic society
38 everybody steps in their equal. The facts of the evidence
39 will be that which the judge rules upon. I knew that
40 coming and I hope you knew that coming in.
41
42 Q. What was the point of saying: We have long had the
43 informal support of lawyers and it was then finalised with
44 the appointment of a City law firm and 2 specialised libel
45 barristers?
46 A. I think it stems from the first sentence. If I read
47 your own material, McLibel Support Campaign, it repeatedly
48 talks about yourselves being the short end of the stick in
49 an unfair position because you do not have legal advice and
50 that is simply not the case.
51
52 Q. So you do not think that you have got an advantage having a
53 City law firm and specialist libel barristers representing
54 you?
55 A. Ms. Steel, this is about the truth. It is not about
56 advantage or disadvantage. It is about telling the truth
57 and that is all. The judge, I am sure, will do so, after
58 he hears all the evidence. He will come to a conclusion.
59
60 Q. You would have been aware at that time, would you not, that
