An open letter to Chris Patten

Dear Mr Patten,

In a recent speech you gave, you used your position as Chancellor of Oxford University to make some very vitriolic comments about the campaign against the new animal lab currently under construction on South Parks Rd in Oxford. Your comments were at best misleading but at worst they demonstrated an ignorance about the issues concerning animal experimentation and the right of people to use their democratic right to demonstrate. It would seem that you have adopted the language of the tabloid press when describing those engaged in a completely peaceful and legal campaign against the animal lab in Oxford. Words like "thugs" and "protesters using violence, were undermining a free and civilised society". Well, Mr Patten, words like that must roll off the tongue very easily but what is unforgivable about your bigoted attitude is the fact that a person with your obvious standing has resorted to such language without looking at the facts.

Perhaps it would be timely to remind you of some facts about Oxford University's track record in relation to the new animal lab. In March of this year Oxford University issued a statement to the local media in which they said "the new building on South Parks Rd would be an animal hotel" and no animals would be experimented on there. They also said there would be no primates used there. Since this initial statement, SPEAK were able to highlight these lies and we have now been told by Oxford University that the new building will in fact be used to conduct experiments on living animals and that primates will be among those creatures used. In fact, Mr Patten, one of the University's leading professors has told the Oxford Mail that "there will be colonies of monkeys at the new site". Of course, Mr Patten, in the world of Oxford academia it is acceptable to play fast and loose with facts when your used to, avoiding questions from the outside, which you clearly feel has no right to exercise its right to free speech.

You also state in your interview that "To use violence against research at a university - against academic staff and all those in anyway associated with what they do - is a serious blow against the basic liberties of a plural society". How dare you use words like this when the facts do not support your accusations. If you had bothered to ask any police officers who have dealt with the weekly demonstrations outside the site or those that have policed the marches organised by SPEAK in Oxford you would have found out that there has been no intimidation or outbreaks of disorder but then that would not sit comfortably with your agenda, would it? Furthermore you should be reminded that peaceful protesters have been assaulted outside the site by those engaged in the construction of the new lab. One 69-year-old woman has been the subject of two seperate assaults whilst standing inside the designated protest area holding a placard (hardly a thug Mr Patten). On both occasions arrests were made and despite confessions and numerous witness statements, no further action has been taken against either individual. What was it you said about basic liberties? A salient point for you to think about also is that on both occasions the University of which you are the Chancellor has remained silent concerning the attacks.

It's also interesting that in the service of free speech Oxford University has been granted what is probably one of the most draconian injunctions ever handed down by the High Court. Of course Mr Patten you argue that this is to protect the university from harassment and criminal acts but those served with the injunction and most affected by it, are those people engaged in a legal campaign against the university. In fact this injunction affects anyone who may wish to raise objections to the new animal lab or voice their protest against animal experimentation at Oxford. It's interesting to know what you see as the democratic process at work. But, Mr Patten, as Chancellor of the university that prides itself on being a bastion of liberal thinking this is something that you can perhaps brush under the carpet.

What also stands out in your comments as Chancellor is the failure to acknowledge the question of animal suffering or the very relevant questions surrounding the scientific validity of animal experimentation when searching for cures for human disease. It may suit your agenda to resort to name calling or black propaganda but you should be reminded that you do not represent all intelligent thinking on this issue, in fact, you represent a dwindling but arrogant minority. A recent survey conducted by EFMA (Europeans for Medical Advancement) showed that 82% of G.P.'s were concerned that animal data can be misleading when applied to humans. The survey also revealed that only 21% of G.P.'s would have more confidence in animal tests for new drugs than in a battery of human-based safety tests and that 83% would support an independent scientific evaluation of the clinical relevance of animal experimentation. Your attention should also be drawn to an article written by Robert Matthews, the science correspondent for the Sunday Telegraph, which appeared on 15 November 2004 and was headed "Animals make poor guinea pigs in drugs tests". The Royal Society issued a report earlier this year in which they stated: "Animals are normally highly accurate models for humans". Mr Patten, this is surely the stagnant well you draw your vast knowledge of vivisection from, but this statement is not supported by one single reference to relevant research.

Only three days prior to the Sunday Telegraph article, The Times carried an article entitled "Oxford inquiry on abuse of monkey". Perhaps, Mr Patten, you could use your obvious influence to find out why a sentient being was kept alive whilst the university's own vet demanded the animal be put to sleep. Could you also explain how a thinking, feeling animal becomes an 'Asset' and is then stripped of what little respect or protection it has from those calling themselves scientists? You may feel that your your position as Chancellor gives you the right to make ill-informed judgements on others but what it can never do is hide the truth. The new animal lab on South Parks Rd is not a monument to scientific discovery that will benefit us all but a folly dedicated to the abuse of the defenceless and a slavish adherence to the discredited practice of animal experimentation.

Despite the concerted effort by yourself, the Labour government and the pharmaceutical industry to mislead the British public as to the true nature of the campaign at Oxford and your attempts to demonise a large grouping of people, you are losing the argument, Mr Patten. Hopefully one day you will be more interested in the facts rather than on the increased profit margins of the pharmaceutical companies.

Disclaimer: The information on this website is for the purpose of legal protest and information only. It should not be used to commit any criminal acts or harassment.