Day 196 - 06 Dec 95 - Page 30


     
     1
     2   Q.   That was all linked to the McDonald's Freedom Fighters?
     3        A.  That was linked to that which was something that
     4        I think just got out of hand.
     5
     6   Q.   If McDonald's Freedom Fighters had not have been formed,
     7        would that have been discussed, getting rid of these
     8        individuals?
     9        A.  At that time one or two of them were not so much a
    10        disruptive influence, but they were not towing the line, so
    11        to speak, so possibly if they had been carried on in the
    12        way they were that they could have been got rid of, but
    13        I cannot really say for sure on that issue at that time.
    14        That was the main reason for the people being targeted, if
    15        my memory serves me correctly.
    16
    17   Q.   You said in your statement you felt bad about it since it
    18        happened and then you took on Paul Jackson who was one of
    19        the people; is that correct?
    20        A.  That is correct, yes.  I mean, it was -----
    21
    22   Q.   Why did you feel bad about it?
    23        A.  I never had to sack anybody before, the main thing. It
    24        is something that until you have done it, it is quite a
    25        hard thing to do, tell someone that they have lost their
    26        job.  Also, although at the time I wanted to get on and
    27        I felt that a route I had to take, it was decisions I made
    28        all the way along the line that sometimes I were not
    29        totally happy with but I felt that I had to go along that
    30        route if I wanted to stay with the Company and continue the
    31        career.
    32
    33   MR. MORRIS:  We have come to the end of this statement.  What we
    34        would like, if it is possible, is maybe half an hour
    35        tomorrow morning to go through the rest of the documents?
    36
    37   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  Is there any reason why you cannot actually
    38        get here at 10 o'clock tomorrow and do it then?  You can
    39        get here from Colchester fairly promptly provided the
    40        weather does not -----
    41        A.  There was a slight delay this morning, but it should be
    42        all right for tomorrow.
    43
    44   Q.   There are any number of trains taking only 50 minutes from
    45        Colchester?
    46        A.  I tried to drive today which was the wrong thing to do.
    47
    48   Q.   I would have thought with the train service there is
    49        between Colchester and Liverpool Street, if I might suggest
    50        it, you would be very well advised to come on the train. 
    51        A.  I learned the hard way this morning. 
    52 
    53   MR. RAMPTON:  My Lord, there is one other thing too.  I do not
    54        actually myself see why the Defendants should not see
    55        Mr. Coton after court today.  I think I know the reason why
    56        they do not want to, because there is a demonstration
    57        outside the King's Cross McDonald's this afternoon from
    58        4.00 to 6.00 in the evening.  That would not be a good
    59        reason for, as it were, wasting half an hour of court time
    60        tomorrow morning.

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