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See all MNHQ comments on this thread

<<whispers>> Was there ever any clarification about whether the issue with GF was swearing on here?

588 replies

hunkermunker · 22/05/2006 15:46

MN Towers, if you'd prefer it if this was deleted, please do so.

But I'm nosy. And I want to know. Please?

(I didn't swear in this, though I was tempted to...childish or what?!)

OP posts:
oliveoil · 24/05/2006 15:10

yes, can't imagine a £250 an hr brief going 'hmmmmmm' over MN somehow.

Anyway, must be off to do some work of my own.

tamum · 24/05/2006 15:09

Yes, she said that Jimjams, didn't she- she had CLB website or something in her sign-off.

Marina · 24/05/2006 15:08

The firm in question does also do work with SANDS and with parents in medical negligence cases, further to Jimjams' remarks

arfy · 24/05/2006 15:07

"some of your members have obviously no idea of the hundreds of vicious and libelous messages that have been posted over the last year."

Well I've been on here pretty much every day for the last year and read masses of threads and I don't think this is true at all TBH. All most odd, most odd indeed. Poor MNHQ.

Jimjamskeepingoffvaxthreads · 24/05/2006 15:07

OliveOil if her lawyers are reading every post it will be consting her a fortune. I think AC is employed by Gina's website.

crunchie · 24/05/2006 15:06

Ok so it isn't about the Ginababe incident, it's about the defamatory comments. That I understand - to a point. I think MNHQ made it very clear what we could and couldn't post, and explained that it wouldn't go further if we controlled ourselves.

However Ann Cloghs messages are confusing me. Her post a few weeks ago did not seem to be about the nasty personal attacks, it seemed to suggest GF didn't like swearing. Now she is saying that GF doesn't mind discussion, but MNHQ didn't make things clear enough that they would not sue IF the nasty comments stopped AND if a settlement was paid.

The original post 'Further, as a result of Mumsnet's failure to make clear to its members that Gina Ford has no intention to take legal steps to restrain
reasonable debate, and its refusal to agree reasonable terms of settlement to resolve these serious libels of her, she was forced to conclude that she had no alternative but to issue court proceedings, which she intends to do.'

So if I am reading this right, MN did make it clear we must stop making comments, but because they didn't pay a 'settlement' GF is now going to court.

Personally I understood the original complaint about the personal comments, what I didn't understand was Ann Cloughs post. All I can think is that she must have directed us to the wrong thread tbh and she meant to direct us to another personal GF thread.

Anyway I am sorry that MN is going through this, but it is rather funny when you think about it. Someone somewhere MUST have a Private Eye contact

ruty · 24/05/2006 15:05

sorry if i said your explanation was nonsensical AC, what I meant was I couldn't understand it. We are all just feeling a bit defensive on MN's behalf at the moment, because it has been a lifeline for so many of us. For example, there have been people that I've met on Mumsnet who have been instrumental in getting my son back to full health, and I don't think i could have got him the specialized medical advice he needed without them. So you see, MN is critically important for mothers. If people said defamatory things about GF then that was ill advised, but MN has done everything in their power to stop that happening. I really think a legal battle will be the thing that damages GF's reputation, not a bunch of mums on the internet - please think again.

bundle · 24/05/2006 15:04

wooooo-hoooooo to Fio - well done, let's set up that Arty Farty thread Smile you can be my role model

tinker.....good question. if tv company broadcast a libel and their transmitter was faulty (so no one watching) imo they would still have a case for slander, in that the camera operator would have heard it Wink

oliveoil · 24/05/2006 15:04

well they are reading every post on here, so it would wind them up at the very least

tamum · 24/05/2006 15:03

I can't seriously imagine that questioning whether her legal advice is sound can possibly make things worse, can it? Are they going to sue MN on their own behalf too? Doubt it...

Jimjamskeepingoffvaxthreads · 24/05/2006 14:59

I'm sure her legal advice is very good oliveoil- Foot Anstey are a decent firm. I just can't understand why shes doing it.

Marina · 24/05/2006 14:59

I've not seen them either JJ.
Agree with Pruni and tamum. This is all most odd. Fully understand why Justine has to be less than transparent though.

tamum · 24/05/2006 14:59

I agree with Jimjams, Tinker, I think ginababe's identity was made very clear from on high :)

Fio, well done!!! :) :) :)

JoolsToo · 24/05/2006 14:59

I find it a bit creepy too that we're being watched > Shock

little elves down the end of the garden busily taking notes!

meowmix · 24/05/2006 14:58

tru jimjamsomethingaboutvax.... Wink

MrsDoolittle · 24/05/2006 14:57

Yeah Wotcha old bird!! Grin Grin

Carmenere · 24/05/2006 14:57

Of course they are going to have to prove that someone from the GF camp hasn't written these elusive offensive posts themselves to inflame a dispute and maybe even procure financial benefit in the form of a settlement.

ruty · 24/05/2006 14:56

Hi AC! Smile

Tinker · 24/05/2006 14:56
Grin
Jimjamskeepingoffvaxthreads · 24/05/2006 14:56

We're not attacking ther authenticity of her books meow so I think its ok.

oliveoil · 24/05/2006 14:56

I think we should all take note of Justine's last line: "Many thanks to all for the supportive and reasoned posts"

Reasoned posts.

One or two threads have occasionally gone back to name calling, and I don't think calling into question GF's legal advice or whether Ann Clough is right or wrong does MN any favours tbh.

JoolsToo · 24/05/2006 14:56

I'm amazed this hasn't hit the newstands!

MrsDoolittle · 24/05/2006 14:56

Tinker - you made me think of Eric Cantona!!

Tinker · 24/05/2006 14:54

True bundle. If libelous posts haven't been read are they still libelous? If a tree falls in a forest does it make a noise?

meowmix · 24/05/2006 14:54

Given AC is obviously monitoring the site (waves in friendly manner at lurking AC) might it be best to drop discussion now?