The reason for the delay in the High Court hearing - according to Ann de Vecchi

[PaoloRossiJohnson]

My Mum - who lives in Lewes - met Ann de Vecchi the other day, who she knows well enough to speak to. She (de V) told her that the reason for the delay was that the Government have put greater priority on deportation hearings, ie. want to clear a large backlog of deportation cases, before 'dealing' with other matters.

Whether this is true or not, or just de V's opinion, I don't know, but thought it was worth mentioning on here.

It certainly seems plausible to me.

 

[The Clown of Pevensey Bay]

Erm, what complete bollocks (from de Vecchi, not Selly Oak or his mum). The high court decides when to hear cases, not the government.

Jesus. H Christ, is there no depth to which this woman will not stoop?

 

[The Large One]

Ann de Vecchi knows f*** all about even less. The High Court is independent of the government, and they constantly cross swords. De Vecchi is full of donkey cack.

 

[sparkie]

I can't imagine that the part of the judiciary that specialises in planning law, overlaps too much with that which deals with deportation litigation anyway. Sounds like LDC mischief to me.

 

[Man of Harveys]

I would never, ever advocate such a thing of course but IMHO she is very lucky not to have had her windows smashed in before now - I think in most other European countries that would have happened by now. Which would be a dreadful thing to do. Terrible.

 

[Da Man Clay]

I would never, ever advocate such a thing of course but IMHO she is very lucky not to have had her windows smashed in before now - I think in most other European countries that would have happened by now. Which would be a dreadful thing to do. Terrible.

Yes it would...............

 

[The Seagulls Party]

The ONLY reason for the delay is Lewes District Council's insistence that the case goes to Court.

This is quite unnecessary and potentially very expensive for the Council.

 

[hitony]

The ONLY reason for the delay is Lewes District Council's insistence that the case goes to Court.

This is quite unnecessary and potentially very expensive for the Council.

I honestly feel the LDC will fall foul of all this in the end, what i mean is, when they have failed miserably and the constiuants (sp) realise how much money has been wasted, all the ones responsible will be burned at the stake !! as much as this is really frustrating and annoying etc for us and the albion, we will have the last laugh, as much as it might take some time, mark my words..... WE WILL HAVE THE FINAL SAY AND THE FINAL LAUGH !!

 

[Barrel of Fun]

Seagull's Party - Wrong thread for this, but........Do the LDC or Norman Baker have to declare any donations to the LibDem party by residents of Falmer Parish under the Freedom of Information act?

 

[Wardy]

The only people who are going to lose out on this, other then our club, is the residents of Lewes. Come next may when all the seats are up and the Lib Dems get booted out, the incoming party (lets hope it is the Seagulls Party) will find that they have to try and balance the debts they have been left with.

 

[The Clown of Pevensey Bay]

Seagull's Party - Wrong thread for this, but........Do the LDC or Norman Baker have to declare any donations to the LibDem party by residents of Falmer Parish under the Freedom of Information act?

Nope. For one, political parties are not public organisations for the purposes of the FOI act. For two, Falmer Parish should publish any donations in their accounts. For three, they wouldn't give money to Lewes Liberal Democrats, anyway, they'd give it to Lewes District Council.

Falmer PC and Lewes DC are effectively jointly purchasing a service, so that's all (annoyingly) above board.

 

[Seagull73]

My Mum - who lives in Lewes - met Ann de Vecchi the other day, who she knows well enough to speak to. She (de V) told her that the reason for the delay was that the Government have put greater priority on deportation hearings, ie. want to clear a large backlog of deportation cases, before 'dealing' with other matters.

Whether this is true or not, or just de V's opinion, I don't know, but thought it was worth mentioning on here.

It certainly seems plausible to me.

Yeah, there's every reason to believe a liar and a Nazi...

 

[El Presidente]

I missed last year the story about A De V's boyfriend/minder laying into someone.

Obviously such allegations are completely untrue, but could someone advise me about what might have happened in a parallel universe involving a boyfriend/minder of a petty minded spiteful local politician and how he had a pop at someone

 

[Man of Harveys]

From the Argus Archives. As for why such a seemingly-obvious case against an ex-policeman wasn't pursued, well, you'd best ask a current policeman:

Police probe assault claim
From the archive, first published Wednesday 7th Dec 2005.

Police are investigating an allegation of assault against a photographer for The Argus.

Eddie Mitchell, who has worked for the newspaper for seven years, has made a complaint to Sussex police, alleging he was attacked by David Freeman, the long-term partner of Lewes District Council leader Ann de Vecchi.

Mr Freeman, who has lived with the council leader at their home in Lewes for 15 years, was photographed as he tried to open Mr Mitchell's car door.

Mr Mitchell told police he was then assaulted by Mr Freeman who is accused of jumping into the photographer's car and throwing punches.

Mr Mitchell told police he was left with a small cut under his eye and bruises.

The alleged incident happened as Mr Mitchell accompanied a reporter from The Argus who called at Coun de Vecchi's home, hoping to speak to the council leader yesterday.

Instead, Mr Mitchell alleges that he was met with a volley of abuse by Mr Freeman, once treasurer of the Sixth Lewes Sea Scouts, after the reporter introduced himself as being from The Argus.

The reporter called at Coun de Vecchi's home to ask if he could speak to her regarding the council's decision to challenge plans for Brighton and Hove Albion's stadium in Falmer.

Mr Freeman answered the door and said he had just woken up. He said he could not say whether or not Coun de Vecchi was at home.

Mr Freeman told the reporter:

"Leave, before I cut your b******s off."

Mr Freeman then ran at the photographer's car.

Mr Mitchell has accused Mr Freeman of jumping into the front seat of the car and punching him, leaving a small cut under his eye and bruises. Mr Mitchell said it was an unprovoked attack.

He said: "I was quite stunned to see a grown man act in such a fashion.

"I've spoken to the police and am now leaving them to their inquiries."

Police last night said they would be investigating the allegations immediately.

No case over car incidents
From the archive, first published Thursday 6th Apr 2006.

A former policeman accused of assaulting a photographer has been told by lawyers he has no case to answer.

David Freeman, longterm partner of Lewes District Council leader Ann de Vecchi, was pictured jumping into a car and lunging at freelance snapper Eddie Mitchell in December.

Mr Mitchell, 40, said Mr Freeman attacked him after he had called at the couple's home with a reporter from The Argus.

He said Mr Freeman threatened the reporter and then assaulted him in his car, damaging the vehicle and punching him in the face.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) announced it would not bring any charges against Mr Freeman, who served with Sussex Police for 25 years, in February. Mr Mitchell said he had since appealed to the head of the CPS to take the matter further but was again rebuffed yesterday.

Mr Mitchell was left with a small cut under his eye and bruises, photographed by police, after the alleged incident.

He said: "I've taken it to the top level of the CPS, their directors in London, but they have again decided that no action be taken. I'm disgusted.

"I'm amazed they think it is fine for a man to act in this way, climbing into a private motor vehicle and attacking someone just for taking pictures.

"It was only because of the aggressive way he was treating the journalist that I was taking photographs in the first place."

The alleged assault occurred when the reporter and Mr Mitchell called to speak to Coun de Vecchi about the council's decision to challenge plans for the Brighton and Hove Albion stadium in Falmer.

Mr Freeman is said to have answered the door, claiming he did not know if Coun de Vecchi was home or not.

Mr Mitchell said the retired policeman then threatened the reporter and ran at the photographer's car, opening the door, jumping inside and punching him.

He is now putting together a case for a civil action, claiming damages for assault or negligence. Mr Mitchell said: "I can understand why this decision would have been made if there wasn't any photographic evidence as it would have been a matter of his word against ours.

"But the pictures tell the whole story. So I'm taking it through the civil courts and we'll see what happens there."

A spokesman for the CPS said the service was not making any comment on the case at this time. Mr Freeman was Chief Superintendent of the North Downs division from 1987 till his retirement in 1990. He then acted as treasurer of the Sixth Lewes Sea Scouts.

Mr Freeman was unavailable to comment on the CPS decision.



Lawyers have decided to take no action against a former policeman alleged to have assaulted a photographer.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) yesterday announced it would not bring any criminal prosecution against David Freeman, the long-term partner of Lewes District Council leader Ann de Vecchi.

Freelance photographer Eddie Mitchell, 40, said Mr Freeman attacked him in December last year when he called at Coun de Vecchi's Lewes home with a reporter from The Argus.

Mr Mitchell claimed Mr Freeman assaulted him in his car, damaged the door of the vehicle and punched him, leaving him with a small cut under his eye and bruises.

He said he has had to buy a new car as he feared he would become uninsurable if he claimed the damage on insurance.

He said: "We have got pictures of the assault so we have evidence, and there was a witness. It's unbelievable.

"I'm just absolutely devastated. All we did was ask if his partner was in. I don't see how that deserves me getting a kicking and costing me £1,000.

"I'm worried about this setting a precedent. If people think they can attack photographers doing their job."

The alleged incident happened when Mr Mitchell and a reporter from The Argus called to speak to Coun de Vecchi about the council's decision to challenge plan for Brighton and Hove Albion's stadium in Falmer.

Mr Mitchell said Mr Freeman answered the door and said he could not say whether or not Coun de Vecchi was at home.

Mr Freeman is said to have told the reporter: "Leave, before I cut your b******s off," and then ran at the photographer's car.

Mr Mitchell said he would refer the case to the head of the Sussex CPS and take it further if the same decision was then made. Mr Mitchell is also taking advice as to whether he has sufficient evidence to bring a civil action and win damages for assault or negligence.

A CPS spokesman said: "After careful consideration of all the evidence, including witness statements and photographic evidence, by a senior crown prosecutor, we gave the police our advice that there is insufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction."

Mr Freeman served with Sussex Police for 25 years. He was Chief Superintendent of the North Downs division from 1987 until his retirement in 1990.

After retiring he acted as treasurer of the Sixth Lewes Sea Scouts. He did not wish to comment on the CPS decision.

A spokesman for Sussex Police said: "Sussex Police has been investigating an allegation of assault that happened on December 6, 2005, outside an address in Southover High Street, Lewes.

"The papers were submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service for consideration.

Their decision is that no further action is to be taken."

A spokesman for the National Union of Journalists said: "Any photographer who is carrying out their job with the public should be protected.

"I find it strange that with the amount of accumulated evidence available the CPS is not going ahead with the case."