Day 306 - 26 Nov 96 - Page 18
1 further information about, indeed, whether it was the
2 Veggies version or the London Greenpeace version.
3
4 We note, bottom of page 47, he was never given any
5 instructions to stop taking letters, which contradicts what
6 Mr. Nicholson said in the witness box about instructing the
7 firm to stop doing that. We also know that Mr. Nicholson
8 met Mr. Clare; and so that questions the credibility of
9 Mr. Nicholson's evidence on this issue in the case.
10
11 He does say, at page 51, line 19, that he is entirely
12 reliant on his notes.
13
14 Question: "Do you remember specific words said by specific
15 individuals?"
16
17 Answer: "No."
18
19 He did not recall that he was involved in sending letters
20 out on more than one occasion, but we have established that
21 he was. That is on page 51.
22
23 Unsurprisingly, on page 53, line 45, he only noted what he
24 called "pertinent" parts of the meeting; i.e., presumably
25 relating to the people he had been told about and
26 McDonald's matters. So, that gives a disproportionate view
27 of what was going on.
28
29 Then at page 54, line 13: "You were shown some photos.
30 When they were shown to you, it was said: 'These are
31 suspected to be the core members of the group and we want
32 you to look out for what they are doing'?"
33
34 Answer: "I cannot remember what the solicitor said to me,
35 but I recall: 'These are the people involved with the
36 campaign.'"
37
38 Question: "With the McDonald's campaign?"
39
40 Answer: "With the McDonald's campaign."
41
42 "And that would have included myself and Mr. Morris" --
43 this is from Helen asking the questions -- "would it?"
44
45 Answer: "I believe so. I can't recall. I was shown your
46 photographs, yes."
47
48 So, here we have the solicitors or the -- no, I do not know
49 -- solicitors or Hartley's, Mr. Hartley or the firm,
50 anyway -- oh, it is Bishop's firm, is it not -- basically
51 instructing him that: "These are the people involved with
52 the anti-McDonald's campaign. Go and identify them"; and,
53 quite unsurprisingly, I suppose, despite the fact that it
54 was not true, he set about doing just that.
55
56 So, we would say that, in the light of his clear
57 instructions, that further undermines the credibility of
58 his evidence. In that case, that is not really a criticism
59 -- in that particular example -- not so much a criticism
60 of him, but a criticism of the firm that was instructing
