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SHAME ON YOL

19th September 1996
Page 7
Page 7, 19th September 1996 — SHAME ON YOL
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

In the rubbish strewn office that is forever nerve centre of Joe Soap Haulage, CM's notfavourite haulier is busy cleaning his fingern with a screwdriver while trying to mop up 5. tea with a county court judgement. Gazing out of the window he suddenly spies a large bl and-white mobile office pulling up outside his y accompanied by a TV crew and a gaggle of ne paper reporters. They all seem to be looking at k Our man's eyes narrow in recognition: "It's tldaft beggars from URTU at it again. I'll bloody , sue them For libel." if Joe but knew it, for anyoni win a libel case they must be the subject of m cious lies that seriously damage their reputati Unfortunately, in Joe's case there wasn't much ( reputation to start with, especially as a "professi al" haulier.

But could this flight of fancy ever take ( According to the United Road Transp Union, the answer is yes. URTU is threater to shame hauliers who force drivers to break law by turning up on their doorstep with the k press in attendance (see news story, page 12). certainly a bold move that will generate a lo sympathy. But it's not without risk—we can St the writs from here. It's not just erring operators URTU plans to put under the spotlight. The ur says it will also confront "uninterested" enforcer( authorities who ignore whistle-blowers. But is public highway really the place to highlight wrongdoing? Surely a court or public inquiry is a more suitable venue for judging lawbreakers than the high street? What the URTU is planning also runs somewhat contrary to the old legal tenet that a man is innocent until proven

guilty even if he is as guilty as a weasel in a henhouse. And like it or not, that right even extends to cowboys.

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Organisations: United Road Transp Union

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