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| Oxford wins court ruling over ALF | Oxford wins court ruling over ALF |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Oxford University has won a new High Court ruling over protests at its new biomedical research laboratory. | Oxford University has won a new High Court ruling over protests at its new biomedical research laboratory. |
| A judge found Animal Liberation Front press officer Robin Webb was a " pivotal figure" in the organisation and should be subject to an injunction. | A judge found Animal Liberation Front press officer Robin Webb was a " pivotal figure" in the organisation and should be subject to an injunction. |
| The injunction allows a weekly protest by named individuals and legitimate groups but otherwise bans activities within a designated exclusion zone. | The injunction allows a weekly protest by named individuals and legitimate groups but otherwise bans activities within a designated exclusion zone. |
| Mr Webb had contended he was not an ALF member or part of its support. | Mr Webb had contended he was not an ALF member or part of its support. |
| He argued that acting as an apologist for the ALF was lawful, provided the role did not cross the line into incitement. | He argued that acting as an apologist for the ALF was lawful, provided the role did not cross the line into incitement. |
| Mr Justice Irwin, however, ruled he was not a journalist but a propagandist who "echoed the threat from the ALF to the university". | |
| He said Mr Webb's activity "goes far beyond legitimate self expression". | He said Mr Webb's activity "goes far beyond legitimate self expression". |
| 'Disseminating threats' | 'Disseminating threats' |
| The injunction seeks to protect staff, students and contractors at the £20m site from intimidation and harassment. | The injunction seeks to protect staff, students and contractors at the £20m site from intimidation and harassment. |
| Without the encouragement of publicity it is likely that fewer would join the movement Mr Justice Irwin | Without the encouragement of publicity it is likely that fewer would join the movement Mr Justice Irwin |
| Mr Justice Irwin accepted it was unlikely that Mr Webb, who had held his post since 1991, had been involved "in any practical hands-on ALF criminal activity, at least for many years". | Mr Justice Irwin accepted it was unlikely that Mr Webb, who had held his post since 1991, had been involved "in any practical hands-on ALF criminal activity, at least for many years". |
| But he said: "Without the encouragement of publicity it is likely that fewer would join the movement and many within it would fall away." | But he said: "Without the encouragement of publicity it is likely that fewer would join the movement and many within it would fall away." |
| He said Mr Webb "strives day after day to maximise and potentiate the effect of criminal acts on the minds of those whom he wishes to frighten." | He said Mr Webb "strives day after day to maximise and potentiate the effect of criminal acts on the minds of those whom he wishes to frighten." |
| A University spokesman said: "Evidence provided to the court demonstrated that Robin Webb played a key role in disseminating threats against Oxford and all those associated with it. | A University spokesman said: "Evidence provided to the court demonstrated that Robin Webb played a key role in disseminating threats against Oxford and all those associated with it. |
| "We are pleased that the court has recognised this was a vital part of the strategy to create a climate of fear." | "We are pleased that the court has recognised this was a vital part of the strategy to create a climate of fear." |