Regular readers will know that following last year’s General Election the
unsuccessful Reform UK candidate for Old Bexley and Sidcup asked me to sign a
gagging order under threat of High Court action. Almost by definition she must
have believed I knew of something which she did not wish to be known more
widely. The demands gradually escalated to the point I was being required to
remove every blog relating to the candidate even those which were favourable towards her.
Some readers may remember the aforesaid candidate, while a Bexley Tory
Councillor, cut up very rough indeed when Bonkers reported factually on certain
events of 2017 when she was dragged through the Courts by two business
associates. Factually reporting Court proceedings is something that cannot be challenged in law. Two leading
media lawyers offered their support when I was, one offering to take the case
pro-bono to the European Court if she persisted.
Whilst being taken to Court myself and being able to legitimately exhibit
the more interesting parts of the 2017 evidence bundle; the forged letter, encouraging
staff to commit fraud, making false
allegations etc. has its attractions it can be a very expensive process so I
chickened out; withdrew the blogs and didn’t let anyone see my files or listen to my recordings. Fighting
legal challenges is traumatic and I would rather spend my money on other things.
However that didn’t mean I couldn’t talk about the issue and I have several
friends within Reform UK who I meet once in a while; one frequently. Maybe my ramblings fell on fertile ground, I don’t
know. Somehow or other Reform UK HQ got wind of things without me having to open my files to anyone.
All those expensive solicitor’s letters will have been a big waste of money. Maybe I should wipe the big grin off my face!
The foregoing is also reported on Kent Online and the BBC and several other news websites.