Day 248 - 13 May 96 - Page 11


     
     1        and especially their links with the Conservative Party.
     2
     3   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  No, I do not understand this.  That is not
     4        going to help me one jot.  It really is not.
     5
     6   MR. MORRIS:  Am I able to put the question to what ----
     7
     8   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  No, you have to stick to matters which might
     9        help me come to a rational conclusion on the issues in the
    10        case.  I am not interested in political parties one bit in
    11        relation to this case.
    12
    13   MR. MORRIS:  Yes.  As long as it is pointed out that if the
    14        Plaintiffs wish to ask us about our political associations
    15        that would be deemed as relevant as well.
    16
    17   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  If they do, I will look at the context in
    18        which they are asked and if you object to it I will rule
    19        whether it is relevant or not.  But I really cannot see
    20        that it is going to help me whether McDonald's allies
    21        itself, if it does, with one or other of the major
    22        political parties in this country.  If it crops up in your
    23        evidence I will deal with it then.
    24
    25   MR. MORRIS:  Right.
    26
    27   MS. STEEL:   Just one point, sort of slightly on that:  Scope
    28        Communications who you now hire?
    29        A.  Yes.
    30
    31   Q.   They are one of the companies that was investigated for
    32        cash for questions in Parliament are they not?
    33        A.  I do not know.
    34
    35   Q.   You do not know?
    36        A.  Were they?
    37
    38   Q.   You are aware that they give money to MPs in Parliament?
    39        A.  The Scope practices and those of their people is
    40        entirely to them, it is nothing to do with me.
    41
    42   Q.   On the question of litigation, not just about this case, is
    43        it Mr. Nicholson who liaises with the solicitors, the
    44        Company solicitors, on all matters of litigation?
    45        A.  He handles it for the most part, and when it becomes
    46        decision time I will involve myself.
    47
    48   Q.   Right.  But you basically just get involved to give the yes
    49        or no, you do not get involved in the nitty-gritty of
    50        preparation and work? 
    51        A.  I get involved as it relates to myself and statements 
    52        I may or may not have to do.  I do not get involved in 
    53        someone else's statements or words, that is a matter for
    54        them.
    55
    56   Q.   Right.  But you are not involved in giving the Company
    57        information...  Sorry, in the Company giving information to
    58        the solicitors about an article that is being seen or
    59        whether or not an article is true, or something like that,
    60        it is Mr. Nicholson that deals with that is it?

Prev Next Index