Dear Mr. Knights, Thank-you for your detailed response to my e-mail of the 5th October 2012 following my review of the complaint made by you about Constable Miller of the Football intelligence Unit. As part of the review of the complaint I examined the file that led to the issue of the Harassment Notice and as previously stated in my earlier e-mail, I am satisfied that the actions of Constable Miller were both lawful and proportionate in the circumstances. The issue of the notice in no way prevents you from engaging in further lawful and peaceful campaigning or protesting in relation to the Everton Free School, a subject about which you are obviously passionate and should not be construed as restricting your right to do so. If I can be of any further assistance to you in this matter do not hesitate to contact me. Regards, Karl Brennan
Dear
Inspector Brennan
I
am shocked, appalled and alarmed at your reply to my appeal against
the Recordable Verbal Warning. Not only is it apparent that you
failed to undertake any kind of thorough or exhaustive examination of
the evidence, you have also completely denied me any element of
natural justice and you failed to consult me before introducing new
'evidence' and allegations. Your brief and cursory letter does not
reply to any of the detailed points I raised. Therefore I really do
have to question the professional standards of Merseyside Police's
Professional Standards Department.
The
central fact is that I have met the complainant Mr Packer for about
ten seconds, please try and provide evidence of any other occasions
where it is alleged that I have had meetings or contact with him.
The
bias and prejudice that you display in your original letter is
evident from the beginning. You mention my visit to the Everton Free
School and claim that 'You confronted' Mr Packer's PA. Not, 'it is
alleged that you confronted', but 'you confronted'. In fact the
conversation was as follows-
Me:
(Knocks on the door enters) My name is Richard Knights can I see
Adrian Packer? I wondered if he'd received my letter?
PA:
He's received your letter. Could we step into the foyer? (Step into
foyer)
Me:
Would it be possible to see Adrian?
PA:
He's not in, I can get the Deputy Principal. (Goes back in the
office)
I
then talked in an amicable fashion with the Deputy Principal for
about five minutes. If there is an alternative verbatim record of
this conversation please could you supply details.
You
mention my visit to Goodison Park as though this was some sinister
event, as I have explained I went there to see Denise
Barratt-Baxendale. The conversation was as follows-
Me:
Could I see Denise Barratt-Baxendale?
Receptionist:
She's not in.
Me:
Is anyone else from Everton in the Community available?
Receptionist:
No.
Me:
I'll leave a note for her. (Writes note, exits)
If
there is an alternative to this verbatim record please could you make
me aware of it.
You
mentioned in your letter about my use of social media. Is it now a
crime to question someone in authority and ask for their salary
details? If so every journalist in the country would receive a
Recordable Verbal Warning. Please supply evidence of anything written
by me on social media that could be classed as 'harassment'. If you
are unable to substantiate this claim then kindly withdraw it.
In
your letter you claim that my actions have caused 'the complainant
and others to fear for their personal safety', please supply concrete
evidence for this outrageous accusation. Also who are the other
people, apart from Mr Packer? How, when and where did I give cause
for them to feel that their personal safety was threatened? I was
approached by someone who had been threatened by the English Defence
League, vile postings on social media naming them, abusive phone
calls, turning up outside their office and yet the police were unable
to take any action, an interesting contrast?
Then
there is the involvement of the Football Intelligence Unit, this is a
highly specialist section of the police that attempts to counter
football hooliganism and ticket touting. Would it be appropriate for
the Matrix gun crime unit to enforce parking charges? In this case it
is clear that the Football Intelligence Unit have not acted as
impartial public servants but as a private security force under the
direct control and influence of Everton Football Club.
In
criminal law the standard for prosecution is 'beyond reasonable
doubt' it is clear by your failure to produce any evidence, beyond
conjecture and hearsay, that there is no case to answer. In fact you
have acted as judge and jury and failed to evaluate or reply to any
of the evidence I have presented. Harassment is defined as 'sustained
and continuous' and recent case law has confirmed this. How is
meeting someone for ten seconds defined as 'sustained and
continuous'?
In
view of your failure to conduct any meaningful examination of the
evidence, the bias in your 'report' and the clear abrogation of
natural justice, I am formally requesting that you pass the details
of this case to a superior officer.
I
am now beginning the process of taking civil action against
Merseyside Police, undoubtedly this will make an interesting piece of
case law when the complainant has met the accused for ten seconds.
Yours
sincerely
Richard
Knights
