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The trial was the longest in British history
1997: Victory for McDonald's - at a cost
England have
Fast food chain McDonald's has won a partial victory in its epic libel
trial against two environmental campaigners.
The pair, Helen Steel and Dave Morris, had published a leaflet accusing the
corporation of a series of unethical and environmentally destructive
activities.
At the end of the longest trial in English legal history, the judge, Mr
Justice Bell, agreed with the fast food giant that some of the claims made in
the leaflet were unjustified.
These included allegations that the chain was responsible for destroying
rain forests, causing starvation in the developing world, and serving unhealthy
food.
But in a serious blow to the company's efforts to present itself as
socially responsible, the judge decided it was true that McDonald's targeted its
advertising at children, who pestered their parents into visiting company's
restaurants.
"We wanted to show these serious allegations to be false."Paul Preston,
Chairman of McDonald's UK said.
He also backed claims that the company had treated animals cruelly, and
that its workers' low pay had helped to depress wages in the catering trade.
Ms Steel and Mr Morris were ordered to pay McDonald's ?0,000. But Ms Steel
said: "McDonald's don't deserve a penny and in any event we haven't got any
money."
The activists remained defiant despite their partial defeat and urged
people to make up their own minds about the arguments.
The pair, who had represented themselves throughout the 314-day trial,
complained it was unfair that legal aid was not available forlibelcases.
McDonald's said it had gone to court to protect its reputation.
Chairman of McDonald's UK, Paul Preston, said: "For the sake of our
employees and our customers we wanted to show these serious allegations to be
false and I'm pleased we've done so."
Throughout his career Edward Heath promoted European Unity
1970: Shock election win for Heath
Artificially 1969:
The Edward Heath has become the new British prime minister after a surprise
victory for the Conservatives in the general election.
The result hasconfoundedall opinion polls conducted before yesterday's
election which had predicted a comfortable win for Labour.
But with all 630 seats now declared the Conservatives have won 330 seats,
giving them a majority of 30. Labour have won 287 seats.
The new prime minister, Edward Richard George Heath, who has led the
Conservative party since 1965, has pledged to "restore honesty to government and
integrity to politics" and bring to an end what he referred to as "six long
years of hard labour".
New style of government
The outgoing prime minister, Harold Wilson, refused to admit defeat until
the last minute.
But just after 1400 hrs today, when the Conservatives reached the required
majority of 316 seats, he requested an audience with the Queen to tender his
resignation.
Shortly afterwards the Queen invited Mr Heath to Buckingham Palace where
she asked him to form a new administration.
Edward Heath was born in Broadstairs on 9 July 1916 and was educated at
Oxford university, before becoming MP for Bexley in 1950.
A confirmed bachelor, he has a passion for yachting and classical
music.
Throughout the past three weeks, during which all the party leaders have
toured the length and breadth of Britain on their arduous election campaign
trails, Edward Heath, 53, has consistently offered the British people a new
style of government.
As well as his commitment to European unity, he has promised to reduce
taxes, cut down on wild-cat strikes by updating the law on industrial relations,
and give more help to the poor, the old and the sick by concentrating government
subsidies on those that need them most.
As he arrived at Downing Street this evening he was given a rapturous
welcome. Huge crowds, who had gathered throughout the afternoon, sang "For he's
a jolly good fellow" and shouted "Good old Ted."
In an interview with the BBC, the defeated Harold Wilson said he had always
admired Edward Heath although he had not agreed with many of his election
tactics, including the Conservatives' attempt to "drag sterling into the
campaign."
Devaluation of the pound has remained a controversial issue for both the
main parties.
But Mr Wilson said Mr Heath would now have the strongest economic position
any prime minister had taken over in living memory.
He suggested the low turn-out of voters - just 70% - may have contributed
to his defeat: "We were up against something that no-one foresaw. (...) It was a
low poll and a low poll is going to count against us. All the signs were of a
high poll."
Mr Wilson and his family left Downing Street via a back door this afternoon
and went to Chequers, the Prime Minister's country seat, where they will remain
until they find alternative accommodation in London.
Vocabulary:
libel:A false publication in writing, printing, or typewriting or in signs
or pictures that maliciously damages a person's reputation(诽谤，中伤)
confound:to cause to become confused or perplexed(使困惑;使混乱) |
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发表于 2016-7-9 23:49:48