Day 265 - 19 Jun 96 - Page 44
1 It is information I mind the defendants having and I will,
2 if necessary, explain why but I would do that at your
3 Lordship's discretion in Chambers, if I have to.
4
5 MR. JUSTICE BELL: What was the purpose of knowing that?
6
7 MS. STEEL: Well, it may be relevant as to whether it is a
8 reputable organisation or not.
9
10 MR. RAMPTON: I have not the least idea.
11
12 MS. STEEL: We might want to investigate it.
13
14 MR. JUSTICE BELL: Come back to it when I have heard a lot more
15 cross-examination.
16
17 MS. STEEL: Well, I think Mr. Rampton should give his reasons
18 for curtailing his--
19
20 MR. JUSTICE BELL: No. Come back later when I can judge better
21 when I have heard just how much you put and challenge.
22
23 MS. STEEL: Well, there is going to be very serious challenge to
24 Mr. Claire's evidence. I think that is apparent.
25
26 MS. STEEL: The thing is, if we hear it afterwards then we do
27 not get a chance to investigate it while Mr. Claire is
28 still in the witness box.
29
30 MR. JUSTICE BELL: You are going to have plenty of time. We can
31 deal with it tomorrow and Mr. Claire is not coming back
32 tomorrow. He will have to come back on Friday. If need
33 be, we will deal with it first thing tomorrow in Chambers.
34 I am not going to go into Chambers and just come out again
35 now for it. It is not necessary to deal with it now:
36
37 MR. MORRIS: Can I just clarify, if we ask a question and the
38 other party want to challenge it, surely they have to give
39 a reason?
40
41 MR. JUSTICE BELL: Well, we need not deal with it now. That is
42 all I am saying. If any party says: "I want to go into
43 chambers to deal with this. I have a reason for it. I did
44 not want to declare in public", I will do that. I will do
45 it if you ask. I will do it if Mr. Rampton asks. I am not
46 going to clear the Court to hear it in the middle of the
47 afternoon just so that members of the public can then come
48 back in again. It is far easier when we start first thing
49 in the morning to start in Chambers and members of the
50 public can be let in when I have dealt with it.
51
52 MS. STEEL: If it is possible, I would like to a deal with it at
53 the end of this evening rather than tomorrow.
54
55 MR. JUSTICE BELL: Very well. Yes.
56
57 MS. STEEL: (To the witness) So when was it that you were first
58 approached by Bishops?
59 A. I believe it was late '89, sir. I may have been early
60 1990. I cannot recall.
