Day 248 - 13 May 96 - Page 51
1 the group's fact sheet was libellous. The aim was to try
2 to create a climate of intimidation against activists in
3 order to censor the distribution of leaflets to the
4 public. However, the Defendants, Helen Steel and Dave
5 Morris, decided to fight the case and with other
6 campaigners decided not to bow to McDonald's intimidation".
7
8 Mr. Preston, was your purpose in instructing inquiry agents
9 to find out who published this leaflet, or at least part of
10 your purpose, to intimidate the Defendants?
11 A. No, none whatsoever.
12
13 Q. At the bottom of the page you see this in capital letters,
14 "The Great Cover Up: McDonald's were legally advised in
15 pre-trial procedures to answer a list of defence questions
16 about all the issues in the case and to hand over all
17 relevant documents about their practices in their
18 possession, however sensitive. They refused to do so.
19 They are terrified of having to reveal what they have been
20 able to hide for so long, that they are a fraud and that
21 their critics have been right all along".
22
23 Two things, Mr. Preston: Are those statements about your
24 Company, that the Company is a fraud and that your critics
25 have been right all along, are those statements true or
26 false?
27 A. They are false.
28
29 Q. Have you covered up any documents which would reveal the
30 truth about your Company?
31 A. Everything relevant has been made available.
32
33 MS. STEEL: Can I just say that Mr. Rampton did say that this
34 should have been done in examination-in-chief and it should
35 have been.
36
37 MR. RAMPTON: I said "it could have been".
38
39 MS. STEEL: Yes, well, it should have been, because obviously
40 that is a very contentious issue. I mean, I am sure we can
41 leave it to argument, but as far as I am concerned ---
42
43 MR. JUSTICE BELL: I think you can.
44
45 MS. STEEL: -- a lot of documents have been disclosed far too
46 late in this case by the McDonald's Corporation only after
47 we have made extreme efforts to get them.
48
49 MR. JUSTICE BELL: You have said that before. Do not while the
50 witness is giving evidence. I am well aware that it is
51 very much an issue.
52
53 MR. RAMPTON: Can you turn over the page, please, Mr. Preston.
54 There is a lot of stuff about no chance of a fair trial --
55 do not bother about that. Then there is something called,
56 "Fighting for Free Speech"; do you see that?
57 A. I do.
58
59 Q. Again, at the bottom of that paragraph do you see a quarter
60 line beginning, "Let us show that opposition to injustice";
