New Party member Stewart Dimmock was vindicated yesterday when the High Court ruled that David Miliband and Alan Johnson had acted unlawfully in distributing the Al Gore film, An Inconvenient Truth to
United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. Ireland (Press Release) October 3, 2007 --
United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. Ireland (Press Release) October 3, 2007 -- New Party member Stewart Dimmock was vindicated yesterday when the High Court ruled that David Miliband and Alan Johnson had acted unlawfully in distributing the Al Gore film, An Inconvenient Truth to secondary schools in England. Mr. Dimmock brought his case in the belief that the decision to distribute Gore’s film amounted to the political indoctrination of school children contrary to section 406 of the Education Act 1996.
Paul Downes, counsel for Mr Dimmock, criticised the film at length describing it as “a mix of scientific inaccuracies, political propaganda and sentimental “mush”. Although the full judgment is yet to be handed down, it appears that High Court Judge, Mr Justice Burton, agreed. The Court found that the film was misleading in 11 respects and that the Guidance Notes drafted by the Education Secretary’s advisors served only to exacerbate the political propaganda in the film.
In order for the film to be shown, the Government must first amend their Guidance Notes to Teachers to make clear that 1.) The Film is a political work and promotes only one side of the argument. 2.) If teachers present the Film without making this plain they may be in breach of section 406 of the Education Act 1996 and guilty of political indoctrination. 3.) Eleven inaccuracies have to be specifically drawn to the attention of school children.
In a massive blow to their credibility the Government were also required to delete parts of the Guidance Notes which said that guest speakers could be allowed into school from political organisations such as “local green action groups” to debate how pupils could place pressure on their local politicians.
A significant by-product of the case has been the line by line exposition of just how inaccurate, one-sided and misleading An Inconvenient Truth actually is. The High Court decision is also likely to prove embarrassing for the large number of politicians who jumped on the global warming bandwagon in a blatant pitch for Green votes.
Notes to editors;
1. A full list of the decisive inaccuracies is on the New Party website.
2. Latest press reports;
Daily Mail, 03.10.07
The Telegraph, 03.10.07
The Times, 03.10.07
3. The government produced “guidance pack” which accompanies the Gore film was only produced after Stewart Dimmock lodged his application for a Judicial Review at the High Court. It was reviewed at least four times in the run up to the hearing and is still being worked on by government officials in an attempt to satisfy the judge.
4. The Secretary of State for Education admits that his aim is to “influence” children: http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/latest/2007/climate-0202a.htm
Paul Downes, counsel for Mr Dimmock, criticised the film at length describing it as “a mix of scientific inaccuracies, political propaganda and sentimental “mush”. Although the full judgment is yet to be handed down, it appears that High Court Judge, Mr Justice Burton, agreed. The Court found that the film was misleading in 11 respects and that the Guidance Notes drafted by the Education Secretary’s advisors served only to exacerbate the political propaganda in the film.
In order for the film to be shown, the Government must first amend their Guidance Notes to Teachers to make clear that 1.) The Film is a political work and promotes only one side of the argument. 2.) If teachers present the Film without making this plain they may be in breach of section 406 of the Education Act 1996 and guilty of political indoctrination. 3.) Eleven inaccuracies have to be specifically drawn to the attention of school children.
In a massive blow to their credibility the Government were also required to delete parts of the Guidance Notes which said that guest speakers could be allowed into school from political organisations such as “local green action groups” to debate how pupils could place pressure on their local politicians.
A significant by-product of the case has been the line by line exposition of just how inaccurate, one-sided and misleading An Inconvenient Truth actually is. The High Court decision is also likely to prove embarrassing for the large number of politicians who jumped on the global warming bandwagon in a blatant pitch for Green votes.
Notes to editors;
1. A full list of the decisive inaccuracies is on the New Party website.
2. Latest press reports;
Daily Mail, 03.10.07
The Telegraph, 03.10.07
The Times, 03.10.07
3. The government produced “guidance pack” which accompanies the Gore film was only produced after Stewart Dimmock lodged his application for a Judicial Review at the High Court. It was reviewed at least four times in the run up to the hearing and is still being worked on by government officials in an attempt to satisfy the judge.
4. The Secretary of State for Education admits that his aim is to “influence” children: http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/latest/2007/climate-0202a.htm
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