Business as Usual - More lies from Oxford University!

Highlighting the lies and deceit of Oxford University and the vivisection industry has become something of a weekly chore at the SPEAK campaign. In fact, it's now such a regular event that it's becoming downright tedious! However, I guess we shouldn't complain about the opposition's ineptitude - the more they put their foot in it, and get caught out doing it, the better for us!

One would have expected that with all the resources the vivisection industry has at its disposal (whether in the form of its financial powerbase, the media, or government) - they would have a well-oiled PR machine. Instead, we have seen the animal abusers on the Oxford stage lurch from one ridiculous lie to another as they fumble through a counter-campaign in which deceit and manipulation have been par for the course and which have systematically been exposed as fraudulent at every step. Surely someone should advise them that if they want to play a machiavellian game, they should cover their tracks a little better.

What we have witnessed masquerading at Oxford University is nothing short of a PR kindergarten, forming a double act with the Research Defence Society, whose prima ballerina, Simon Festing, has two left feet. Their most recent attempt at media manipulation probably surpasses anything that has gone before.

On 21st April, a public debate took place at Oxford Town Hall, attended by 150 people. There were at least half-a-dozen film cameras dotted about the room recording the event, belonging to those organising the event and to local TV stations. Several journalists were also present to witness the debate. In total, then, enough people and equipment to take note of or record the events of the evening - the presence of so many witnesses an unmissable fact unless the vivisection camp have all had full frontal lobotomies, were just plain drunk or in an alternate dimension.

The debate was well chaired by Tony Benn, the atmosphere was cordial, with most people respecting the need for debate on the question of vivisection. Dr Jarrod Bailey, science director of Europeans for Medical Progress, and Professor Claude Reiss, its science consultant, represented the anti-vivisection lobby. On the panel arguing in favour of animal research was Oxford vivisector Prof.... (who cannot be named under the conditions of our injunction), our friend Mr Simon Festing who is always guaranteed to give us a laugh, and Mike Robins, a Parkinson's patient, who has been duped by the vivisection industry into believing that his symptoms are relieved because of the work of the Oxford vivisector. The debate was well argued, and when it finished, neutral observers in the room agreed that the anti-vivisection side presented a far more vigorous and compelling argument.

In light of an Observer article, which appeared on the 15th May, it seems that over three weeks after the debate took place, the three pro-vivisectionists went away and devised 'a cunning plan', presumably under the illusion that it had all the trademark strategic brilliance of Rommel. Take away the words "strategic brilliance" and you have a match! Having pored over their plans, and with what would appear an element of collective amnesia, they approached the Observer newspaper and launched their attack.

The Observer headlines screamed: "Hundreds shouted at me, roll over and die". The article reported that this was one of the comments hurled at Mike Robins along with "Bastard" and "Nazi". He complained that he was "bayed at" and that he "tried to speak, but was shouted down. It was utterly terrifying." The Oxford Professor was quoted as saying: "I am now very sorry I put him through that horrible ordeal. To these people, Mike's existence is a refutation of their core beliefs. They say animal experiments do no good. Then Mike stands up, switches his tremors on and off, and their arguments are blown away. That's why they shouted him down." Not content with this, our boy Mr Simon Festing, determined to get in on the act and claim his two minutes of fame (in case, no doubt, it's his last before he gets the push from his employers for incompetence) added: "Robins tried again to speak but was drowned out."

By all accounts a pretty horrible experience for Mr. Robins, subjected to a mob of animal rights extremists baying for blood.

Errr...GUYS - there's just one teeny-weeny thing you forgot - you forgot the cameras, you forgot the journalists, and more importantly you forgot the TRUTH!!

So, what IS the truth? The Observer, evidently keen not to be seen as having been duped, can't quite call the threesome liars, but we can, and we do. If they wish to sue us, we will be only too pleased to see them in Court.

A bit of fast back-pedalling by the Observer on 29th May shows an attempt at damage limitation. The article headline reads: "Two sides to animal rights story", in which the paper admits: "the paper was not present at the debate." Furthermore, having viewed the video footage, the newspaper acknowledges that "we can see that the headline was inaccurate," and that the "recording plainly shows him turning off his tremors with the device, and being heard in silence." I wont bore you with the whole article - those wishing to view it should click here.

The Observer article is not unique; misrepresentation of the animal rights movement is a weekly occurrence. The only reason the truth came out this time was because the dull-witted trio failed to put two and two together to compute that video evidence might JUST be available to refute their story. The whole charade merely illustrates yet again the lengths the animal abuse industry will go to in order to protect their jobs and their profits. Mike Robins unfortunately, is just another pawn in a very big game, just like the animals that are abused inside Oxford University.

At SPEAK we can only hope that in future the media won't hang onto the coat-tails of the vivisection industry. Your role in a democracy should be to promote the truth, not to disseminate the lies of those whose sole purpose is not to help humans or non-humans but to protect and increase their profits.

Here's looking at you...