A day dominated by me threatening legal action against Tory district leader, Derek Holley, by the end of which he undertook to publish a written apology and retraction in the Hunts Post. I received the first 100 history of Little Paxton books and two were presented at this evening’s Little Paxton Annual Parish Meeting two to long term retiring members.
The day is dominated by events concerning the local Tories who must be now well aware that they are losing out in our local campaigns. First, the Hunts Post this morning printed a letter from the Tory district leader, Derek Holley, which was downright libellous and defamatory. I checked round to see who else had printed it, but it was only accepted in abridged and censored form by the Citizens Express. I tried to talk to Derek Holley without success. Then spoke to the Conservative agent, Mr English, and cleared up a few misunderstandings from earlier in the campaign. I then took advice from written ASLDC briefing notes on the law and in person from the senior litigation partner at Vinters and actually took the step of arranging a 5pm meeting with him. In the afternoon, Derek Holley eventually capitulated after talking with the Hunts Post editor and agreed to submit an apology and the paper to print it for next week.
I then compiled my own version of a preferred retraction and dispatched it by facsimile to the Hunts Post and Derek Holley. I did this from Des Merrill’s house and reassured him at the same time. It seems that our concentration on local issues is winning through in all three of our target wards. I received the first consignment of 100 of my History of Little Paxton books this morning and was very pleased with them. This evening, I took a few along to the Little Paxton Annual Parish meeting and two were presented to long serving members of the parish council who are both retiring after 20 years’ service. Others had urgent copies and I will have to get some more supplies if I’m not too running. Mr Sharpe, Michael’s County Council opponent was also there which was interesting but he said nothing. The meeting was quite well attended, and the Parish reports well-presented also.