Day 245 - 07 May 96 - Page 79
1 morning?
2
3 MR. MORRIS: Maybe if I get this particular question out of the
4 way, I think. (To the witness): These two motions -- did
5 you get a copy?
6 A. No.
7
8 Q. I am sorry; we might as well get it out of the way. Ignore
9 the scribbles on it; that is my handwriting about another
10 matter. (Handed). These are two motions put to
11 Parliament, early day motions by Jeremy Corbyn MP regarding
12 McDonald's business practices, critical of McDonald's
13 business practices and record and the second one is
14 critical of using libel as a form of censorship. They are
15 dated 25th May, 1994 and 26th May, 1994. I cannot quite
16 understand it myself, but your Company, McDonald's UK, have
17 cited these motions as some kind of evidence against the
18 Defendants. Did you give instructions about that? Do you
19 know anything about it? Why ---
20 A. Not that I can -----
21
22 Q. -- an MP should not be able to put a motion to Parliament
23 critical of McDonald's Corporation?
24 A. I have no idea why they are there; you will have to ask
25 counsel. I do not know.
26
27 Q. It was not your -----
28 A. I think a lot of the reading, a lot of the material
29 looks like a straight lift from some of these documents to
30 me. I am guessing that it is circulation for, in wider
31 circles of what has been written in these and misleading,
32 you know, Members of Parliament to make wrong decisions.
33
34 Q. Are you telling us Mr. Corbyn MP does not have a right to
35 put a motion -----
36 A. He most certainly does.
37
38 Q. -- in any terms that he wishes to Parliament?
39 A. I think he has an obligation to talk the truth anywhere
40 and everywhere, and that is -- I would defend that again to
41 my last day on earth. I just hope he is talking with the
42 facts and, again, I have to read it. I do not -- I am not
43 familiar with the whole thing, but an awful lot of what is
44 here looks to me like very much a straight lift from
45 documents like, "What's Wrong With McDonald's?", or one of
46 the circulars.
47
48 Q. But you are prepared to recognise that he has the right to
49 put motions to Parliament that he believes are true?
50 A. Parliamentary speaks for itself.
51
52 MR. JUSTICE BELL: He has the right to put to Parliament even
53 things he does not believe to be true and it is covered by
54 absolute privilege.
55
56 MR. MORRIS: OK. I think that is all for today, then. Thank
57 you very much.
58
59 MR. RAMPTON: Would your Lordship like the publication bundles
60 tonight? I say that because Mr. Glen -----
