MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Penguin News Update
Headlines:
Turners donates prize for Wireless for the Blind; ExCo decision was ?morally and constitutionally indefensible'; Break-in trouble for seamen; Minister calls in; Cruise ship visits.
Turners donates prize for Wireless for the BlindMINISTRY of Defence contractor Turners GCMS has sponsored a top raffle prize for this year's British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) Wireless for the Blind appeal which takes place on Saturday, December 6. The company has donated a VIP Tristar return seat to Brize Norton, or the cost of return tickets for two people to Ascension Island (the lucky winner gets to choose whichever he/she prefers). Tickets are on sale for £5 each and can be bought at the Victory Bar, FIBS, Kelper Stores and other Stanley venues. At Mount Pleasant, tickets can be bought at both NAAFI stores, BFBS, the hair salon and at Twelve Facility reception. By the age of seventy, 25% of people are registered blind or partially sighted and the Wireless For The Blindfund helps to improve their quality of life by supplying specially adapted radios and cassette/CD players. BFBS has supported this charity for more than 50 years and additionally, 10% of the total sum raised in the Falklands goes towards the Ophthalmic Department at the King Edward VII Hospital in Stanley. The event will take the form of a 12-hour ?radio-thon,' including the auction which will run from mid-day until mid-night with music pledges playing throughout.
Pictured: Squadron Leader Mark Hughes from Air Movements with Steve Holt, Sandy Fenton and Walter Crossley of Turners Falklands and Annwen Smith and Nicky Smith of BFBS.
ExCo decision was ?morally and constitutionally indefensible'
EXECUTIVE COUNCIL (ExCo) has responded unapologetically to the Chief Justice's ruling that its decision to refuse the application of Michael Bingham for Falkland Islands Status was, "...morally and constitutionally indefensible." Following his decision announced in open court on 27 October, Chief Justice James Wood's full judgement was read out by Acting Judge Nick Sanders on Tuesday afternoon. A full report on the judgement is on page 5. Later on Tuesday evening, Executive Council gave a preliminary reaction to the judgement. The statement from councillors said, "The Chief Justice has quashed the decision to refuse Mr Bingham's application for Falkland Islands' status. "This does not mean that he has granted the application, which will have to be reconsidered by the Executive Council. "The Chief Justice ruled that the fourth reason for refusal of Mr Bingham's application was improper because it clearly breached Mr Bingham's freedom of speech guaranteed by section 10 of the Constitution. However, the Chief Justice did not condemn other reasons given for the refusal of Mr Bingham's application." On Wednesday, Councillor John Birmingham further commented, "Anyone who thinks there isn't any freedom of expression here clearly doesn't read Penguin News and also doesn't go to any public meetings." Mr Bingham can now make a fresh application for Falkland Islands Status. Executive Council says it will, "...consider and advise the Governor upon Mr Bingham's application afresh, with an open mind, leaving entirely out of consideration anything with which the fourth reason for refusal dealt. "This it will do at a convenient meeting in the New Year after giving Mr Bingham full opportunity to make any further representations." The statement adds that Mr Bingham was not without blame: "...while the Chief Justice was critical of Executive Council's decision in some respects, he was also critical of Mr Bingham. "He said he had reached the conclusion that Mr Bingham had deliberately absented himself from the court during the hearing at least in part because he wished to avoid being questioned on some matters. "The Chief Justice said the Executive Council were entirely justified in saying that Mr Bingham had lied when he told Falklands Conservation that he had a Bachelor of Science degree. "He added that he rejected entirely the suggestion by Mr Bingham that he believed Shelbourne University (by which Mr Bingham was awarded a doctorate) to be a university in any real sense of the word." The Chief Justice concluded his judgment by saying that Mr Bingham "may... wish to reflect upon the fact that he is to an extent the author of his own misfortunes. Whilst the fact that he has been penalised for his views is constitutionally and, if I may say so, morally indefensible, the Applicant's own attempts to bolster the provenance of those views by representing his academic background as something which it is not does him no credit." Penguin News was unable to contact Mr Bingham for comment.
Break-in trouble for seamen A MERCHANT seaman was sent to prison and another received a hefty fine after the pair broke in to Stanley's Falkland Club for a drink. Keith Dickson received an eighteen week prison sentence after he entered guilty pleas to charges of burglary, resisting arrest and assaulting a police officer. James Simpson was fined for burglary and resisting arrest. The court heard that on November 19, police received a call from a member of the public reporting someone attempting to break in at the rear of the Falkand Club, known locally as the Glue Pot. Officers went to the club and could see, through a gap in the curtains, two men sitting in the bar area. Shortly afterwards a member of the club arrived and entered, finding Keith Dickson and James Simpson sitting in the bar area drinking beer. The two men were arrested and escorted to the police vehicle, however Mr Dickson ran away heading west along Drury Street. Police Constable Reid and the club member apprehended him and attempted to handcuff him. Mr Dickson became violent, pushed back with his body causing PC Reid to fall with Mr Dickson on top of her. After a struggle to get up, Mr Dickson verbally abused both officers and head butted PC Reid. Continued on page 5
Minister calls in PARLIAMENTARY Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Bill Rammell MP, is in the Islands this week. Among other responsibilities, the Minister has responsibility for Overseas Territories and Latin America. During his Falklands visit he is touring both Stanley and Camp and meeting with a number of government and private sector representatives. More next week.
Cruise ship visits THE Falklands has only three cruise ship visits scheduled for this week. Professor Multanovskiyvisits George and Barron Islands today. Tomorrow she will call in to Stanley, along with the Crystal Symphony.
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