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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?!)
JustineMumsnet · 23/05/2006 09:33
Hello hello, No there has yet to be any clarification or statement from GF or her associates as to what the "serious issue" was. We are still "on notice" with regards to legal proceedings against us but for now it's all gone (ominously? Or maybe that's just me - I'm a worrier) quiet. MNHQ
JustineMumsnet · 23/05/2006 09:34
pardon?
JustineMumsnet · 23/05/2006 09:40
oh the pod thing - actually he wanted his mother-in-law (my mum) to have one so the kids could play with them and we could have fresh eggs when we visit. she said no!
JustineMumsnet · 24/05/2006 06:42
To keep you in the picture we received this from Ann Clough yesterday eve:
"Dear Ms. Roberts,
I am surprised that you have any doubt about the position being taken by Gina Ford. Gina has made it abundantly clear through her lawyers that she has never, at any time, tried to restrain reasonable discussion or debate regarding her childcare advice. She felt obliged to seek legal advice after unjustified and libellous personal attacks were posted about her on your website. Such attacks also questioned her experience of working with mothers and babies and the authenticity of her books.
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.
The wide reaching nature of the claim, due to the high number of libellous postings, means that the preparation of the necessary documents may take some time. However, you and users of Mumsnet should be in no doubt that Gina will take all necessary steps to restore her reputation and that of her hundreds of thousands of followers, including the issue of High Court proceedings as soon as practicable.
Ann Clough"
JustineMumsnet · 24/05/2006 14:40
Dear all, Here's the latest from Ann Clough/Gina Ford:
Thank you for posting the message on the boards. As you and I both know, the legal action that Gina is taking against Mumsnet has nothing to do with the Ginababe issue, which was resolved a couple of years ago. However, what the response to the message has proved so far, is that some of your members have obviously no idea of the hundreds of vicious and libelous messages that have been posted over the last year.
This email does not require a response from you.
Ann clough"
We it feel it's only fair to offer Gina Ford a right of reply on Mumsnet, which is why we've put these messages up. As you might imagine we at Mumsnet HQ have a somewhat different take on events to Ann Clough's and we'd love to be completely transparent with you but on balance we feel it best not to go over the situation publically at this moment. Many thanks to all for the supportive and reasoned posts. MNHQ
JustineMumsnet · 25/05/2006 18:12
Dear all, We have so far avoided posting too much about all this as we have no wish to inflame the situation but it’s clear that many members understandably have concerns, so we thought it best to clarify a few things.
Gina Ford, via her solicitors, has made the following six demands:
Essentially we have agreed or partially agreed to comply with numbers one to four to Gina Ford’s lawyers’ satisfaction, but not agreed to points 5&6. Consequently Gina Ford intends to litigate against Mumsnet.
Mumsnet is indeed a limited company but in cases of libel it is individual publishers whose assets are at risk rather than companies.
It is our view, though we cannot say for sure, that though Ms Ford’s lawyers have previously threatened legal action against one Mumsnet member at least to our knowledge, the intention is to take proceedings against Mumsnet rather than individual posters. Please do contact us if you have reason to believe otherwise and we will happily give as much advice and assistance as we can.
Many thanks to all who have offered support and good wishes. We are, needless to say, extremely sad that this situation has both arisen and escalated to such proportions. We’ll keep you posted with regard to further events.
Best, MN Towers
JustineMumsnet · 25/05/2006 21:34
Hi again, We can see where you are coming from regarding a total ban but we don't think it's the way forward for a few reasons: a) It's not practical - imagine telling new members wanting to talk GF routines that they can't. b) It doesn't really helps with regard to the specifics of our current situation (ie it's not one of the conditions outlined by GF's lawyers to prevent litigation) c) (And this is probably the biggest reason in our view) Whatever happened to free speech? We are a parenting website - we have to be able to discuss things relating the UK's best-selling childcare guru, surely? We think that's a thing worth fighting for.
Incidently according to a communication from her website to it's members which was posted on Mumsnet, Gina Ford has made it clear she would have no problem being banned from being discussed here as she has no wish to be asscociated with Mumsnet in any way. See \link{http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk?topicid=9&threadid=172473\this thread} for more on that.
Many thanks for offers of help regarding publicity and funds. We'll let you know if it comes to that.
MN Towers
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