Day 306 - 26 Nov 96 - Page 52
1 evidence of it being distributed on that date.
2
3 MR. MORRIS: If I can just say a couple of things? We have had
4 to refer mainly to McDonald's witnesses, because we just
5 did not have the time to deal with evidence of our
6 witnesses on this subject. That is the first thing.
7
8 Secondly, obviously, we have concentrated -- again, to save
9 time -- on the admissions and contradictions contained in
10 the Plaintiffs' witnesses' evidence, which we feel,
11 obviously, are significant because they are against their
12 better judgment and against the party who they are
13 appearing for, and, therefore, they are more significant
14 than 20 statements to the opposite which are following the
15 line of the Plaintiffs.
16
17 Lastly, as far as our witnesses are concerned, we have
18 complete confidence in them, like we have with every single
19 witness who has appeared in this case for us, that they are
20 telling the truth and, therefore, we do not have to scour
21 around their evidence to look for the best points. We are
22 happy to embrace their evidence.
23
24 If I can just say that even the witnesses that we have gone
25 through today and yesterday, we have only touched the
26 surface. I am not saying we should have outlined every
27 single relevant point, but we are conscious even now, as we
28 look through them, we find all kinds of odds and ends which
29 are significant. I have not looked at Anthony Pocklington
30 at all.
31
32 MR. JUSTICE BELL: I have. I have read all the transcripts of
33 all the witnesses in relation to publication, and I heard
34 them when they gave their evidence in the first place.
35 Your only purpose here is to direct me at the main points.
36
37 MR. MORRIS: All I am saying is -- well, let me just say about
38 Mr. Pocklington that I will try to identify in writing the
39 points that I would have made verbally if I had had time,
40 but I am not very good at typing and everything, but I will
41 try to do so.
42
43 MS. STEEL: Can I just say briefly as well that I did not have
44 time to go through my evidence and the evidence of
45 Ms. Laporte and Mr. Gravett in terms of the things that
46 I had countered, that were assertions made by the spies,
47 such as Mr. Clare, that I had admitted distribution of the
48 fact sheet and having written the fact sheet, and
49 whatever. Whatever was alleged in the spies' notes,
50 obviously I replied to it in my evidence and it was dealt
51 with by Mr. Gravett and Ms. Laporte. I have not had time
52 to go through that, but obviously I would like that taken
53 into consideration. It is not that I do not think it is
54 significant.
55
56 MR JUSTICE BELL: Very well. We will adjourn now, and
57 continue with what you want to say to me about the
58 counterclaim at 10.30 in the morning.
59
60 (The Court Adjourned)
