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";

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