SPEAK allegations may breach injunction
The animal rights activist group SPEAK may have breached Oxford University’s injunction against the group by naming two members of the University whom they perceive to have conflicts of interest. A campaign press release by the group alleges that Ben Simpson and Lord Bradshaw, both members of Wolfson College, have a conflict of interest by also serving as vice-chairpersons of the Thames Valley Police Authority.
The press release claims the dual roles of both men could result in a conflict of interest. It states: “Surely the position of the two men might suggest at the very least they have the power to bring considerable influence to bear on the Police force they help run?” It continues: “Furthermore despite a clear breach of animal welfare laws, the police and CPS failed to bring legal action against a leading professor at the university, for cruelty to a primate he was vivisecting on.
“SPEAK has offered a £15,000 reward for information that would lead to a successful private prosecution.” The injunction granted to Oxford University against nine campaigners, precludes the naming of members of the University on the SPEAK website. It is unclear whether releasing names of University members to newspapers also constitutes a breach of the injunction.
As The Oxford Student went to press, the office of the Chief Constable of Oxfordshire were still debating whether or not the action constituted a breach of the injunction. Simpson was prevented from commenting on the matter due to his role as a magistrate whilst Lord Bradshaw could not be contacted by the House of Lords.
The SPEAK release concludes: “Whilst Ben Simpson and Lord Bradshaw remain members of the authority, doubts will be cast as to who is actually influencing Thames Valley Police's policy and tactics.
9th Jun 2005