Day 246 - 09 May 96 - Page 22


     
     1        having the freedom to move around.  I put it to you that
     2        they are untruthful and designed to mislead the Company and
     3        that therefore that is another reason why it is
     4        inappropriate to call McDonald's an honest company?
     5        A.  I do not accept that.
     6
     7   Q.   Can I ask you about the next paragraph.  It says:
     8
     9        "We are not seeking to threaten any individual, to prevent
    10        free speech or to play big brother."
    11
    12        That is entirely what you are doing, is it not, Mr.
    13        Preston.
    14        A.  No,  I am not.  I am here to establish the truth.  That
    15        is all.
    16
    17   Q.   You have taken no action against individuals?
    18        A.  Well, there was no choice.  London Greenpeace was not
    19        an incorporated body.  It was against individuals or not do
    20        anything at all.
    21
    22   Q.   When you took out the writs, it was against five
    23        individuals and basically you threatened them that if they
    24        did not apologise, you were going to drag them all the way
    25        through the courts?
    26        A.  I would hardly call that threatening; it is a statement
    27        of fact.  I have a right to defend McDonald's reputation
    28        and I will do so in the face of what I believe, and I hope
    29        this court will find, to be libelous statements about it.
    30
    31   Q.   The point is though that you have used the words "any
    32        individual" to try and create the impression that it is
    33        another organisation that you are taking on and that is
    34        incorrect, is it not?
    35        A.  Ms. Steel, your name, and that of your partner here,
    36        have never appeared in any McDonald's literature of: "We
    37        are doing something with Ms. Steel or Mr. Morris".  We have
    38        talked about London Greenpeace.  We have talked about the
    39        two Defendants.  I have genuinely attempted to keep this
    40        100 per cent away from a personal level.
    41
    42        I have served writs on yourselves, or the due process of
    43        law has served writs on yourselves, because there was no
    44        corporate entity on which to do it.  We had no recourse but
    45        to serve them on individuals.  I did it because I wanted to
    46        defend my company, its word and its integrity which I
    47        believe to be right.
    48
    49        I do not believe we do not make mistakes.  I believe we do
    50        make mistakes.  I believe we are capable of standing up and 
    51        saying we are wrong when we are wrong, but I will not say 
    52        I am wrong when I am correct. 
    53
    54   Q.   This briefing sheet continues:
    55
    56        "During the trial, we anticipate that there will be
    57        demonstrations by London Greenpeace supporters both outside
    58        our London restaurants and elsewhere in the country.
    59
    60        There may Well be some heavy media exposure about the case

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