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 -----

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