Examination of Witness (Questions 120-121)
TUESDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2003
MR MAX
CLIFFORD
120. Could I therefore, on the basis that like
anything human there are degrees of perfection and imperfection
and broadly saying that you think possibly we are in agreement
that the broadsheets are trying to do a more serious job, you
made the comment that there should be legal aid for all libel.
Would that not put an intolerable burden on those sections of
the press which are generally trying to deliver in the public
good? I am thinking obviously of, for example, the Archer case.
(Mr Clifford) No, because it was up to Max Clifford
to prove without any shadow of a doubt what he was up to and I
did. He tried everything to stop it and he has got a lot of clout
and he had a lot of powerful friends. That is the game obviously
that goes on. Those people do not need looking after. They are
more than well looked after. They have got far too much protection
as it is. A lot of them are still getting away with murder.
121. But if anybody could bring a claim, which
is what legal aid would mean, would there not have to be some
kind of filtration process so that you did not get a stream of
vexatious litigants?
(Mr Clifford) Yes, sure. I am the first to admit I
have not thought this thing through. This is your Committee, this
is your situation. I am just here to tell you my experience and
my views and obviously these things have to be developed carefully.
The problem I have is that so many people who seem to be making
decisions about the media have not got a clue as to the realities
of the media or they are too frightened to stand up to them because
they need them. Politicians need the media. You do not want to
go against them. You want to be popular. You want to be liked.
You are in an impossible position.
John Thurso: Thank you.
Chairman: I think that is a very good
sentence on which to end your evidence to us, Mr Clifford. Thank
you very much indeed.
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