The First Victory In The Fight Back Against Hatred And Abuse.
I have now settled my claim for defamation against Dr Gary Potter, London South Bank University and the Global Cannabis Cultivation Research Consortium (GCCRC), consisting of more than a dozen universities and academic institutions across the world.
The claim concerned statements published on the GCCRC website by Chris Bovey, Alun Buffry, Edwin Stratton and Stuart Wyatt. Dr Potter has published an apology on the GCCRC website which describes the statements as “derogatory“, “without evidence” and “defamatory“.
Dr Potter’s apology in full:
“On the 28 November 2012 and 29 November 2012 in response to various third party postings on the discussion forum on the GCCRC website I made certain comments about Cannabis Law Reform (CLEAR), Peter Reynolds, UKCIA, and Derek Williams. The third party postings I was responding to were derogatory and provided no evidence in respect of the allegations made against Mr Reynolds, Mr Williams, CLEAR and UKCIA. As such my comments were ill-considered and I unreservedly apologise for making them.
I wish to make it clear that the GCCRC is not affiliated with, nor does it support nor oppose any particular individual or group in the cannabis law reform movement or otherwise. Its purpose is to support the carrying out of important research, and all personal information collected in the course of that research is kept strictly confidential and is never shared with third parties. I would ask that in the future individuals do not use the GCCRC site to make public defamatory comments about any third party, and in the alternative if they have legitimate concerns these should be raised by email to the GCCRC using the email functionality on the GCCRC website.”
Further terms of the settlement are confidential.
This is the first domino to fall and my High Court claims against Bovey, Buffry, Greg ‘Cure Ukay’ De Hoedt and Sarah McCulloch are proceeding apace. Those, including Stratton and Wyatt, who have also been concerned in this campaign of abuse, harassment and defamation can expect to hear from me shortly.
Of course, this abuse has not just affected me. What finally moved me to launch legal action was when the hate campaign started to target my children and my 78 year old mother. Those concerned have already been involved in abusing and blackmailing various CLEAR members. One past member of our executive committee had posted pictures of his grow on a forum and these were sent to his local police using information stolen from the CLEAR website when it was hacked in March of last year. Threats were even made against CLEAR supporters in the USA using the same stolen information. Derek Williams has suffered repeated attempts to blacken his name with his employers. I salute his courage and steadfast support.
Finally, I should make it very clear that I do not associate the estimable and reputable US organisation NORML with those involved in the management of its UK chapter (NUK), nor the NUK members who are innocent pawns in the anti-CLEAR campaign.
Anti-Thatcher Scum Define The Problem with Britain
If you disagree with Margaret Thatcher that’s fine. She, more than anyone, would have defended your right to do so.
The pitiful, rude and incontinent abuse of her shows exactly why we are so much poorer for her passing.
Britain has become the epitome of sophistry, where gossip and oppressive opinion dominate and diminish our discourse.
It is encouraged by tabloid journalism and broadcasting. Our attention is always diverted by sensation. What we miss from Margaret is the ability to focus on a goal. Ever more we are concerned and trapped by the midfield battle. In fact, Premier League football is the perfect analogy – corrupt, depraved, greedy, self-serving, manipulative.
The disgusting behaviour of those who demean the dead says it all. To those who have posted abuse of Margaret Thatcher here (deleted) and who pursue their playground bullying, good day to you. Are you proud?
We, the pride of Britain, are very proud of Maggie.
Margaret Thatcher, The Greatest Politician Of My Lifetime
In general there has been a respectful and appropriate response to the death of Britain’s finest leader since Churchill. Even senior Labour figures have preserved their dignity and given due credit for her importance. Those who have demeaned themselves with cheap and oafish abuse know who they are and they are lesser people for it.
She has always been my hero. In 1979, when I had just started my first business I had car window stickers printed reading ‘Support Maggie In the Interests Of Britain’.
She was and will remain a magnificent woman of stature beyond compare. As someone wrote today, what the snide, jealous left really hated about her was that she was working class – yet with real ambition and ability.
Rest in peace Maggie. Britain and the world is forever changed and greatly enhanced by your noble life.
Banks Get Taxpayers’ Money To Lend To Businesses And Homebuyers But Keep It for Themselves.
Bankers Are Thieves.
It’s a crime. There should be hundreds of them in jail.
This Nasty, Spiteful, Vindictive Harridan Must Go.
The Right Dishonourable Theresa May MP
Home Secretaries come and go. Let’s hope for the sake of everyone in Britain that this one goes soon.
Some are corrupt and idiotic like Alan Johnson. Some are brave and sincere like David Blunkett. Many have “something of the night” about them like Michael Howard.
In my lifetime there has never been one like Theresa May – vicious, malevolent and always ready for cheap, political point-scoring at the expense of the weak and vulnerable. She also demonstrates the most shameful ineptitude and incompetence and she’ll stab anyone in the back to protect her career.
She is authoritarian, anti-libertarian, secretive, oppressive, unjust and represents everything that is bad in politics. She would be far better suited to joining the Assad government in Syria or Netanyahu in Israel. She is the antithesis of democracy, the enemy of freedom. She shames Britain and she has done more damage to the cause of women in politics than anyone. She even makes Harriet Harman look reasonable, personable and relevant.
She is the token woman in the cabinet but she is detached from traditional Tory values as well. One of the few options left to Cameron to regain any credit for himself would be to sack her.
It’s no surprise then that she wants to abandon the European Convention on Human Rights which has its foundations in Britain and in our traditions of liberty and justice. She has no interest in humanity. She does not represent me and she is not fit to represent our great nation.
Reader’s Feast At Middle Temple
Middle Temple Hall
My brilliant son, Richard, who is forging a glittering career in the law invited me to dine at Middle Temple, the Inn of Court of which he is a member.
The occasion was the Reader’s Feast and around 250 people gathered in the magnificent Elizabethan hall. Amongst us were the Attorney-General, several Supreme Court justices and many more lowly individuals, mere High Court judges and QCs. At the bottom of this august but friendly and good natured gathering were the humble ordinary members, students and their guests.
An extraordinary 360 degree view of the hall can be seen here
The Reader’s Feast takes place each term. It is a social event and an important part of the students’ education as a senior member of the Inn delivers a speech on a topic of current importance. Last night the reader was Professor Graham Zellick CBE QC and his topic was ‘Re-engineering Civil Justice’.
The food was spectacular. The wine was average. The port was superb. The occasion itself was a very special memory which I will treasure with great pride in my son.
Terrible Photograph. Wonderful Memory.
Anti-Dog Jobsworths In Weymouth
This gate opens onto farmland and scrub stretching just half a mile from the Jurassic coast, up and over the Dorset ridgeway.
If you head due east, maybe a touch to the north, you can walk with your dog (or dogs) for five or six miles and never come across a building nor even a road.
Yet Weymouth and Portland Borough Council choose to threaten us with a £5000 fine for not having our dogs on a lead, or £1000 for allowing them to, ahem, shit (for want of a better word).
The path leads away from the main road through Sutton Poyntz and the signs can’t be directed at people coming towards the village because they’re impossible to see from that direction.
Half a mile further west it’s the same thing on Chalbury Rings, the bronze age hill fort, which is as remote as anywhere. In five years, walking there regularly, I might have bumped into someone else once, perhaps twice.
The nasty, dog-hating, money-wasting, officious ‘little Hitlers’ that devise and operate this policy are the very worst of Britain. Local government seems to be infested with them.
The British Press Shamed By Prince Harry
I don’t know about you but I found the sequence where he is in the middle of being interviewed and then is ‘scrambled’ to take-off, WWII Battle of Britain style, extraordinarily moving.
He is right about the lowlife exploiters who work in Fleet Street. They are the very worst of Britain and need to be taken down.
Lincoln
Great movie. Hero worship of Lincoln. Daniel Day-Lewis is the greatest actor in the world. Reminded me of the West Wing in places.
Peter Reynolds 