EA attempts to gag narrowboatworld

READERS may have noticed an article that we published concerning the Environment Agency's attitude to the restoration of the Avoncliff Mill on the Avon, that was later taken down.

The reason for this is that we are giving the Agency the opportunity to give its side of the story, but certainly not because it has issued dire threats of libel actions, obviously in an attempt to gag.

Threatened

Even our Allan Richards was threatened by such action, though he had absolutely nothing to do with the article or the editing of narrowboatworld.

In what now seems a standard email the Agency told us:

The allegations made in the article against our staff are baseless and untrue, which makes this article defamatory, and libellous under UK law. We have sought legal advice and will take further action should this untrue material remain on your website. As you will be aware as journalists, according to the law the longer this material remains on your website after we have complained, the greater the damage.

In answer to this accusation narrowboatworld pointed out that no member of its staff was even mentioned, so asked how could they  have been libelled!

Same email

As the writer of the article, Tom Oliva, reveals that the above type of email was also received by himself, but no action was actually taken, and both the editor and Allan received the same email, so it would seem little more that threats to prevent publication, for which readers can draw their own conclusions.

We are told the email did however frighten the editor of a local newspaper, who was going to publish the same story, but who then 'spiked' it.

Very suspect

However, this continued action to attempt to prevent publication about Avoncliff Mill seems very suspect, with our Allan Richards, now the Agency has brought him into the matter, now asking the Agency the following questions:

My understanding is that in late 2011 serious allegations were made concerning criminal misconduct, administrative misconduct and improper performance of official duties by a number of Environment Agency staff by the Earl brothers.

Can you confirm that this was the case?

I also understand that these allegations were made directly to the chief executive and following an investigation senior EA officials confirmed that they were substantially true.

Can you confirm the names of the officials?

Can you confirm that the allegations made were true (apart from money changing hands)?

Can you also provide me with a full copy of the investigation report?

I am sure that narrowboatworld's editor would welcome EA's comments on the article rather than threats.

As Tom Oliva tells us, the Agency has obviously not heard of the 'Streisland Effect'...