Re DSP laundry and chinese whispers

[Ben Courtice <benj@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Xxxx Xxxxxx wrote:
I can't comment on what the DSP can or can't do regarding its member who is 
acting as a
crown  witness. I do think it's rather unfortunate that DSP members would show 
up in
"solidarity" with an accused murder particularly after strong evidence emerged 
that he was
also a wife-beater but express no solidarity with the victim. I also think it's 
shameful
that DSP members (including, presumably, the member acting as witness) would 
stand by and
watch while the accused's supporters harass the family of the victim.

Ben Courtice replies:
This is a nasty game of Chinese whispers.

Firstly, the comrades who I know that went to Mizon's murder trial went for a 
number of
reasons I'm sure, including concern for an old friend no doubt, but also to see 
the
outcome. Being at the trial doesn't imply solidarity with a murderer or support 
for his
actions. As to the "wife beating" accusation I don't believe it was even 
something that
Mizon was proud of, and I can't see how it relates to the discussion here 
unless you hope
to associate the DSP with being soft on wife-beating? That's low.

I don't recall that DSP members/ex-members were ever engaged in, or aiding and 
abetting,
harassment of the victim's family. In fact all DSP members were as shocked as 
anyone would
expect that this tragedy occurred to Lucy May and her family, to say nothing of 
the fact
that Mizon did it.

Andy wrote again:
While the DSP may not be in a legal position to do anything to stop its member 
from acting
as crown witness perhaps they could at least, given the circumstances and the 
DSP's stated
position on women's rights and against the abuse of women, issue some sort of 
statement of
condolence to May's family and friends and express its solidarity with Steve 
Jolly against
the accused's cretinous supporters. Perhaps the DSP could make a donation to 
Jolly's
defence fund?

Ben replies:
If someone claims that Jolly assaulted them and a DSP member is called as a 
witness, that
has nothing to do with the DSP itself, does it? Nor does it have anything to do 
with our
position on women's rights. Stop confusing the issue.

As I understand (the witness mentioned is in my branch and a good friend of 
mine) the case
was thrown out of court due to lack of evidence. Which doesn't give anyone the 
right to go
around saying that it was an unfair persecution of Jolly, any more than I can 
reasonably
say that Jolly really did assault Mike Heaney without provocation. Of course an
out-of-court settlement where they all shake hands and make up would be nice 
but the only
settlement on offer (anger management) was turned down by Steve Jolly.

In fact this latest affair is really a storm in a teacup and it's pretty 
pathetic that the
SP has to try and milk it. It discredits the entire left for you to be trying 
such petty
shenanigans.

Ben Courtice

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