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

Prev Next Index