Edward Smethurst issues libel writ against Tony Bennett

[Tony Bennett]

EDWARD SMETHURST ISSUES A LIBEL SUMMONS AGAINST TONY BENNETT

Article filed 16 August 2011

On 9 August 2011, Mr Edward Smethurst, the Co-ordinating Solicitor for Drs Gerald and Kate McCann, issued a libel summons against Madeleine Foundation Secretary Tony Bennett, a fact he found out on returning yesterday from a 10-day holiday. The claim is limited by Mr Smethurst to ‘a sum not exceeding £100,000’.

The summons, technically called a Defamation Claim, was accompanied by an ex parte Order also made on 9 August by Master Eyre in the High Court, which requires that “any non-party seeking access to, or copies of any documents before the court or on court records (including statements of case and witness evidence) must make an application for such access on notice to the parties. Documents filed at court in respect of this action are to be placed in a sealed envelope marked: ‘Not to be provided to any non-party without the leave of a Judge or the Senior Master of the Queen’s Bench Division and on prior notice to the parties’.”

The Claim relates to postings made by Tony Bennett about Mr Smethurst on the ‘Complete Mystery of Madeleine McCann’ (CMOMM) forum between 9 and 12 May. The case has been assigned to Master McCloud.

Mr Smethurst’s concerns about one thread in particular were first brought to Mr Bennett’s attention on 4 August. Carter-Ruck, who act for Mr Smethurst, in the second of two letters sent that day, demanded: “Should you now fail to remove the defamatory postings…we will advise our client to issue proceedings for libel against you without further notice to you”. The allegedly defamatory postings were removed the following day, the day Mr Bennett began a 10-day holiday.

On his return from holiday yesterday, Mr Bennett discovered that Mr Smethurst had already issued libel proceedings, on Tuesday 9 August, in relation to two other threads on CMOMM which had not previously been brought to his attention by Mr Smethurst. These two threads about Mr Smethurst were removed from CMOMM as soon as Mr Smethursts’ libel summons was brought to the attention of CMOMM’s administrators.

Proposals to settle the dispute will shortly be put forward by Mr Bennett who has in the meantime agreed not to discuss the subject matter of his postings. We will publish further developments in the case as and when they happen.

Madeleine Foundation Committee, 16 August 2011

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Additional note: In response to two letters from Carter-Ruck to me dated 4 August 2011, this forum's administrators decided the following day, as a precaution, to remove one of the Edward Smethurst threads from public view. On my return from holiday yesterday, I discovered that despite that thread having been removed at Smethurst's request, he had issued a libel writ on Tuesday 9 August, whilst I was away on holiday in Wales, citing two other threads on this forum that he claimed libelled him. Again, the administrators made a prompt decision to remove those two further Smethurst threads from public view - T.B.

[aiyoyo]

Oh dear, TB I am so sorry to hear that.

Would lodging a police report about him [deleted by admin] help?

Of course that would depend how long [deleted by admin] (if he was aware of them)?

I haven't a clue how Police investigate FB's postings but if sick individuals posted up depraved messages surely the police have a way of investigating those who were behind them? Also as to whether the owner of FB was or was not aware of the postings, surely the Police have a way of checking time and date of FB access from personal pc?

Anyway, just hope every bit of little suggestion helps.

[Gillyspot]

I can't understand how he can issue a writ, if you have only reproduced what [deleted by admin]

If he has allowed [deleted by admin]

Yet another example of the world gone mad IMO!

[Big Vern]

Stand tall Tony. You have said nothing that warrants this nonsense.
You will come out on top. Just like Amaral.

[jd]

There is nothing to worry about, you got the proof & we all know the truth. I wouldn't like to be in Smethurst's shoes

[PeterMac]

Could Smeghurst stand having everything aired in open court ? Or will the threat be suficient, as it so often is with C-R.

[PeterMac]

Oh, by the way. I love the [deleted by admin] .
I feel it could acquire cult status, similar to 'Ugandan Talks" in Private Eye.

" I am not accusing this man of theft. I am accusing him of [deleted by admin] ."

[pennylane]

I do hope that openness and honesty prevails for once where the despicable Team McCann and their enablers are concerned. I'm sick of the sight of the bloody lot of them.... they have destroyed my faith in honesty, integrity and justice prevailing in any way, shape or form in the UK.

God bless you Tony.

[jd]

Could Smeghurst stand having everything aired in open court ? Or will the threat be suficient, as it so often is with C-R.

The truth being exposed in front of the countries media to see.....world watching on.... Plus this would also wake up the 60 million or so public to the fact that the disappearance of Maddie McCann is a hoax and a fraud....This is just the public exposure that we need

[Tony Bennett]

Could Smeghurst stand having everything aired in open court ? Or will the threat be suficient, as it so often is with C-R.

I am not sure by any means that if this case proceeds to trial, it will be in open court.

This decision by Master Eyre on Tuesday last week, made ex parte [which means only one of the two parties being present], is ominous:

The summons, technically called a Defamation Claim, was accompanied by an ex parte Order also made on 9 August by Master Eyre in the High Court, which requires that “any non-party seeking access to, or copies of any documents before the court or on court records (including statements of case and witness evidence) must make an application for such access on notice to the parties. Documents filed at court in respect of this action are to be placed in a sealed envelope marked: ‘Not to be provided to any non-party without the leave of a Judge or the Senior Master of the Queen’s Bench Division and on prior notice to the parties’.”

[puzzled]

If this case does make it to court, would it be possible to set up a fund to help with costs?

[jd]

The words echoed by David Bret "just remember one thing. It only takes a handful of people to dispense justice in a court of law...."

Susan Hall: A Kind Of Slush

Rearrange the name Susan Hall and you get..
"Anal Slush".
I'm not saying that Ms Slush is a bad person, just a very mean one. Two weeks ago she joined our Group, her sole intent to ferret for information: all the while she was relaying little snippets to the other forums, including the very excellent "Missing Madeleine"--indeed, along with "Steel Magnolias", I would suggest that it is well worth its weight in gold. Ms Slush wanted to know who and what I was, where I was and who I knew, and what I did to earn my crust. The answers to all these questions may be found in my website http://www.davidbret.co.uk/ Ms Slush knew this, but thought she would cause a little disruption all the same, as happened last weekend when she brought pandemonium to our FB page. Happily, the good folk of MM saw through her, as indeed did we. But where else has Anal Slush been gossiping, and does anybody give a Captain Cook?

For some reason, Ms Slush has a problem with me. "Anyone can get up a petition," she says. Then why haven't they until now, Anal? I'll tell you why. Because, extant of the excellent folk within our group they were scared, and because they didn't know how to work their way around wording it and getting it passed without facing the wrath of the powers that be.

My petition dealt with three issues: the original neglect when the McCanns went out on the razzle, their alleged misappropriation of funds from the Find Madeleine Campaign, and the farce in India. I'm not sure why I'm telling you this. After all, it's really none of your business. First of all, I was told that I could not have a petition--all part of the gagging. So I took the matter further--where, is definitely none of your business. Then I sent in the petition once more, and was told that the words would have to be amended--the Home Office removed the first question about neglect.

This is the first VICTORY for Madeleine McCann, the little girl who cannot speak for herself. I have progressed beyond the gagging, and I have done so legally, and STILL without accusing. Of course I will not get 100,000 signatures. Few of those petitions will--and the ones that do, such as removing rioters from the DSS system, will never see the light of day.

But it is a VICTORY all the same, and may well be the first victory in this war. And before you return to spouting that there are over 70,000 Loonies out there, and less than 100 of us, just remember one thing. It only takes a handful of people to dispense justice in a court of law

http://mccannnotaccusingjustasking.blogspot.com/2011/08/susan-hall-kind-of-slush.html?zx=ee17f5ffaa8f7c4
http://www.davidbret.co.uk/

[happychick]

All the pro's are rejoicing at this news,

Not one of them have voiced concerns about the comments left on Smethurst's FB by dubious characters. Just as not one of them voice concerns about the Gaspar statements or the dog's findings or the fact that Mr Amaral said there is evidence of a child molestor within the McC's group of friends.

Madeleine is missing, presumed taken by a paedophile, according to her parents, and not one of the pro's voice concerns about the sinister side of this case.

Not one of them ask questions about the possibility of a paedophile lurking on Facebook that has connections to Madeleine McCann.

Not one of them.

They just want to see TB lose his house and life savings, because that, to them, is far more important than finding out if a paedophile is lurking on Facebook.

[jd]

They just want to see TB lose his house and life savings, because that, to them, is far more important than finding out if a paedophile is lurking on Facebook.

This says all you need to know about them

[pennylane]

Does nothing related to the McCanns and their entourage ring any alarm bells with their supporters.

Every few days we read about yet another father being arrested for paedophilia/child pornography! Do the McCann supporters believe married doctors are totally exempt from such perversities, even when a fellow doctor has voiced grave concerns about a close friend of Gerry McCann?

[lj]

All this gagging will achieve that when the truth finally will be generally know, the fury will be worse.

A certain lawyer, his firm and the McCanns will end up being the most hated and disgusted people in the UK. Just like Casey Anthony in the US, and at least she was acquitted.

[aiyoyo]

The words echoed by David Bret "just remember one thing. It only takes a handful of people to dispense justice in a court of law...."

Susan Hall: A Kind Of Slush

Rearrange the name Susan Hall and you get..
"Anal Slush".
I'm not saying that Ms Slush is a bad person, just a very mean one. Two weeks ago she joined our Group, her sole intent to ferret for information: all the while she was relaying little snippets to the other forums, including the very excellent "Missing Madeleine"--indeed, along with "Steel Magnolias", I would suggest that it is well worth its weight in gold. Ms Slush wanted to know who and what I was, where I was and who I knew, and what I did to earn my crust. The answers to all these questions may be found in my website http://www.davidbret.co.uk/ Ms Slush knew this, but thought she would cause a little disruption all the same, as happened last weekend when she brought pandemonium to our FB page. Happily, the good folk of MM saw through her, as indeed did we. But where else has Anal Slush been gossiping, and does anybody give a Captain Cook?

For some reason, Ms Slush has a problem with me. "Anyone can get up a petition," she says. Then why haven't they until now, Anal? I'll tell you why. Because, extant of the excellent folk within our group they were scared, and because they didn't know how to work their way around wording it and getting it passed without facing the wrath of the powers that be.

My petition dealt with three issues: the original neglect when the McCanns went out on the razzle, their alleged misappropriation of funds from the Find Madeleine Campaign, and the farce in India. I'm not sure why I'm telling you this. After all, it's really none of your business. First of all, I was told that I could not have a petition--all part of the gagging. So I took the matter further--where, is definitely none of your business. Then I sent in the petition once more, and was told that the words would have to be amended--the Home Office removed the first question about neglect.

This is the first VICTORY for Madeleine McCann, the little girl who cannot speak for herself. I have progressed beyond the gagging, and I have done so legally, and STILL without accusing. Of course I will not get 100,000 signatures. Few of those petitions will--and the ones that do, such as removing rioters from the DSS system, will never see the light of day.

But it is a VICTORY all the same, and may well be the first victory in this war. And before you return to spouting that there are over 70,000 Loonies out there, and less than 100 of us, just remember one thing. It only takes a handful of people to dispense justice in a court of law

http://mccannnotaccusingjustasking.blogspot.com/2011/08/susan-hall-kind-of-slush.html?zx=ee17f5ffaa8f7c4
http://www.davidbret.co.uk/

Is that really david bret as in really him blog site?

For his petition to collect signatures quickly and in masses perhaps he should consider going to Hyde Park Corner or better still set up outside market/ supermarket / library or shopping precinct in UK and have a few booklets ready for people to sign with a placard place beside telling people what their signature was required for.

[jd]

As far as I am aware it really is David Bret. There are many different people fighting for the truth of Maddie. We should all join together to make one very powerful force to expose the truth

[Guest]

As far as I am aware it really is David Bret. There are many different people fighting for the truth of Maddie. We should all join together to make one very powerful force to expose the truth

Now that's a thought. United we stand, divided we fall.

[jd]

Now that's a thought. United we stand, divided we fall.

We won't fall!

[jd]

http://steelmagnolia-steelmagnolia.blogspot.com/2011/08/mccann-petition.html?spref=tw

#McCann : #PETITION Public Enquiry Into Unanswered Questions Relating To The Disappearance Of Madeleine McCann

Last evening I watched the video of the McCanns in Australia. I was shocked and appalled that they can now joke about their part in the death of Madeleine...it amuses them. My skin was crawling from their verbal abuse for this little three year old girl ( their term for her, 'the body' ) that I had to shower to remove the stench of them' from my body'. The fact that Milly Dowler is ALSO now being used to imply the McCanns were victims of phonehacking disgusts me and I intend to write to the Dowlers lawyer and point out to him exactly what is going on here.

I have signed the petition but will no longer blog anymore about this vile evil pair.

Please sign the petition and see if we can put an end to the 'criminals' McCann.

http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/1494

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Official-Public-Enquiry-Into-The-Disappearance-Of-Madeleine-McCann/202751256446252

PLUS : The video that turned my stomach.

http://steelmagnolia-steelmagnolia.blogspot.com/2011/08/mccanns.html