Brighton man wins appeal to remove information from police database (From The Argus)
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Brighton man wins appeal to remove information from police database
12:10pm Friday 15th March 2013 in News By Anna Roberts, Crime reporter
John Catt protesting in Brigthton
An 88-year-old protester has won a Court of Appeal challenge in his battle to have details about his attendance at various protests removed from a police “extremism” database.
John Catt, of Withdean, Brighton, who is of good character, argued that, as he has not engaged in any criminality, the retention of data about him on the National Domestic Extremism Database was unlawful.
Last year, Mr Catt, who said his human rights were being violated, urged two judges at the High Court in London to order the removal of details about his activities from the database, which is operated by police chiefs.
But Lord Justice Gross and Mr Justice Irwin dismissed his judicial review claim, ruling his right to privacy under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights was not infringed.
Yesterday (March 14), following a hearing at the Court of Appeal in January, Master of the Rolls Lord Dyson, Lord Justice Moore-Bick and Lord Justice McCombe, announced they had allowed Mr Catt’s appeal against that earlier decision.
The appeal judges said the inclusion of personal information relating to Mr Catt on the database “does involve an interference with his right to respect for his private life which requires justification”.
They said they had reached the conclusion the “interference with Mr Catt’s right to respect for his private life has not been justified and that the appeal must therefore be allowed”.
Mr Catt was not present in court for the ruling.
'No data control'
But he spoke to The Argus, saying: “It’s not data control, it is data out of control.
“This kind of thing has been going on for yours. What they tried to do during Nazi Germany and McCarthyism is still happening.
“Police surveillance like this deters democracy and deters lawful protest.”
Mr Catt added in a statement: “I hope this judgment will bring an end to the abusive and intimidatory monitoring of peaceful protesters by police forces nationwide.
“Police surveillance of this kind only serves to undermine our democracy and deter lawful protest.”
Mr Catt is a well known Brighton activist who fought a long legal battle against the Albion’s use of its former Withdean grounds, which adjoin his garden in Shepherds Croft, because of alleged noise and light pollution.
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Comments(19)
FC
says...
12:23pm Fri 15 Mar 13
Crystal Ball
says...
12:25pm Fri 15 Mar 13
Andy R
says...
12:28pm Fri 15 Mar 13
FC wrote:Huh? It's everyone's right to have something to hide if they want!
Nothing to hide, nothing to fear.
Well done John, excellent news!
"Domestic Extremist Database"...ffs....
Mart
says...
12:29pm Fri 15 Mar 13
Andy R
says...
12:32pm Fri 15 Mar 13
Crystal Ball wrote:Rubbish! He's 88 for crying out loud and was under no obligation to appear.
If the subject was so damaging to him and is Human Rights you might have expected a personal appearance in Court to show a little respect for the system he is using to 'protect' him?
Got nothing to say about how an old man who's been on some anti-war demos gets to be on a "domestic extremist database" in the first place?
Crystal Ball
says...
12:44pm Fri 15 Mar 13
Andy R wrote:The people of this fair isle (and democracy) rely on the democratic systems to protect them and allow their lives not to descend into something akin to Zimbabwe or similar. Fair enough, but show an element of respect towards that system.
Crystal Ball wrote:Rubbish! He's 88 for crying out loud and was under no obligation to appear.
If the subject was so damaging to him and is Human Rights you might have expected a personal appearance in Court to show a little respect for the system he is using to 'protect' him?
Got nothing to say about how an old man who's been on some anti-war demos gets to be on a "domestic extremist database" in the first place?
Smartbloke
says...
12:45pm Fri 15 Mar 13
Mart wrote:Gibberish.
This bloke is a professional protester, and confirmed pain in the a*se pensioner. He caused a ton of legal problems for the Albion whilst at Withdean, and should really find himself some far less costly and self destructive hobbies.
Cave Johnson
says...
12:52pm Fri 15 Mar 13
Mart wrote:The point is, he hasn't done anything illegal.
This bloke is a professional protester, and confirmed pain in the a*se pensioner. He caused a ton of legal problems for the Albion whilst at Withdean, and should really find himself some far less costly and self destructive hobbies.
Stripes
says...
1:14pm Fri 15 Mar 13
Smartbloke wrote:Gibberish!
Mart wrote: This bloke is a professional protester, and confirmed pain in the a*se pensioner. He caused a ton of legal problems for the Albion whilst at Withdean, and should really find himself some far less costly and self destructive hobbies.Gibberish.
Clearly you have very little knowledge of the 'previous', especially with Brighton & Hove Albion. Presumably you think think it's acceptable for someone to buy a property adjacent to a football stadium and then use ££££ in legal aid complaining that there is 'light' and 'noise' for a few hours once or twice a month?
HJarrs
says...
1:56pm Fri 15 Mar 13
Stripes wrote:It doesn't make him a domestic extremist.
Smartbloke wrote:Gibberish!
Mart wrote: This bloke is a professional protester, and confirmed pain in the a*se pensioner. He caused a ton of legal problems for the Albion whilst at Withdean, and should really find himself some far less costly and self destructive hobbies.Gibberish.
Clearly you have very little knowledge of the 'previous', especially with Brighton & Hove Albion. Presumably you think think it's acceptable for someone to buy a property adjacent to a football stadium and then use ££££ in legal aid complaining that there is 'light' and 'noise' for a few hours once or twice a month?
JHunty
says...
5:19pm Fri 15 Mar 13
HJarrs wrote:Nor does being thrown out of a council meeting for being disruptive when he didn't get what he wanted make him a domestic extremist, does make him a bit of a something that rhymes with Catt though. Funny how Andy R all of a sudden has decided that people have a right to peaceful protest, seems he can't make his mind up, John Catt has a right to peaceful protest, a ten year old girl on the March For England, doesn't. Smashedo have a right to harass the workforce at EDO but the anti abortionists don't have a right to harass the workforce at the local clinic.
Stripes wrote:It doesn't make him a domestic extremist.
Smartbloke wrote:Gibberish!
Mart wrote: This bloke is a professional protester, and confirmed pain in the a*se pensioner. He caused a ton of legal problems for the Albion whilst at Withdean, and should really find himself some far less costly and self destructive hobbies.Gibberish.
Clearly you have very little knowledge of the 'previous', especially with Brighton & Hove Albion. Presumably you think think it's acceptable for someone to buy a property adjacent to a football stadium and then use ££££ in legal aid complaining that there is 'light' and 'noise' for a few hours once or twice a month?
I don't think Andy knows the difference between rights and priveleges.
Would still love to hear from Linda as to why she didn't join her Dad in this legal battle.
gaz scott
says...
5:25pm Fri 15 Mar 13
Stripes wrote:Did he move in when it was a football stadium or did its use change after he'd moved? Legal aid is difficult to get these days and eligibility and merits of a case are considered by people with more sense and intellect than the majority on this website.
Smartbloke wrote:Gibberish!
Mart wrote: This bloke is a professional protester, and confirmed pain in the a*se pensioner. He caused a ton of legal problems for the Albion whilst at Withdean, and should really find himself some far less costly and self destructive hobbies.Gibberish.
Clearly you have very little knowledge of the 'previous', especially with Brighton & Hove Albion. Presumably you think think it's acceptable for someone to buy a property adjacent to a football stadium and then use ££££ in legal aid complaining that there is 'light' and 'noise' for a few hours once or twice a month?
Well done John.
gaz scott
says...
5:28pm Fri 15 Mar 13
JHunty wrote:Change the record. You're obsessed.
HJarrs wrote:Nor does being thrown out of a council meeting for being disruptive when he didn't get what he wanted make him a domestic extremist, does make him a bit of a something that rhymes with Catt though. Funny how Andy R all of a sudden has decided that people have a right to peaceful protest, seems he can't make his mind up, John Catt has a right to peaceful protest, a ten year old girl on the March For England, doesn't. Smashedo have a right to harass the workforce at EDO but the anti abortionists don't have a right to harass the workforce at the local clinic.
Stripes wrote:It doesn't make him a domestic extremist.
Smartbloke wrote:Gibberish!
Mart wrote: This bloke is a professional protester, and confirmed pain in the a*se pensioner. He caused a ton of legal problems for the Albion whilst at Withdean, and should really find himself some far less costly and self destructive hobbies.Gibberish.
Clearly you have very little knowledge of the 'previous', especially with Brighton & Hove Albion. Presumably you think think it's acceptable for someone to buy a property adjacent to a football stadium and then use ££££ in legal aid complaining that there is 'light' and 'noise' for a few hours once or twice a month?
I don't think Andy knows the difference between rights and priveleges.
Would still love to hear from Linda as to why she didn't join her Dad in this legal battle.
hursthill
says...
5:38pm Fri 15 Mar 13
There is no suggestion that Catt was involved, but the Police have to maintain a database of violent protestors, to prevent innocent people being intimidated, injured & killed.
spencer1973
says...
6:49pm Fri 15 Mar 13
All he does is jump on controversial bandwagons....anti.I
raq war, anti withdean, anti EDO........etc etc
Andy R
says...
8:15pm Fri 15 Mar 13
JHunty wrote:Ooh...look what's just crawled out of the woodwork......
HJarrs wrote:Nor does being thrown out of a council meeting for being disruptive when he didn't get what he wanted make him a domestic extremist, does make him a bit of a something that rhymes with Catt though. Funny how Andy R all of a sudden has decided that people have a right to peaceful protest, seems he can't make his mind up, John Catt has a right to peaceful protest, a ten year old girl on the March For England, doesn't. Smashedo have a right to harass the workforce at EDO but the anti abortionists don't have a right to harass the workforce at the local clinic.
Stripes wrote:It doesn't make him a domestic extremist.
Smartbloke wrote:Gibberish!
Mart wrote: This bloke is a professional protester, and confirmed pain in the a*se pensioner. He caused a ton of legal problems for the Albion whilst at Withdean, and should really find himself some far less costly and self destructive hobbies.Gibberish.
Clearly you have very little knowledge of the 'previous', especially with Brighton & Hove Albion. Presumably you think think it's acceptable for someone to buy a property adjacent to a football stadium and then use ££££ in legal aid complaining that there is 'light' and 'noise' for a few hours once or twice a month?
I don't think Andy knows the difference between rights and priveleges.
Would still love to hear from Linda as to why she didn't join her Dad in this legal battle.
gaz scott
says...
10:56pm Fri 15 Mar 13
Andy R wrote:But as usual he very quickly crawls back in to it after briefly spouting the same old rubbish he's been repeating for quite a while now.
JHunty wrote:Ooh...look what's just crawled out of the woodwork......
HJarrs wrote:Nor does being thrown out of a council meeting for being disruptive when he didn't get what he wanted make him a domestic extremist, does make him a bit of a something that rhymes with Catt though. Funny how Andy R all of a sudden has decided that people have a right to peaceful protest, seems he can't make his mind up, John Catt has a right to peaceful protest, a ten year old girl on the March For England, doesn't. Smashedo have a right to harass the workforce at EDO but the anti abortionists don't have a right to harass the workforce at the local clinic.
Stripes wrote:It doesn't make him a domestic extremist.
Smartbloke wrote:Gibberish!
Mart wrote: This bloke is a professional protester, and confirmed pain in the a*se pensioner. He caused a ton of legal problems for the Albion whilst at Withdean, and should really find himself some far less costly and self destructive hobbies.Gibberish.
Clearly you have very little knowledge of the 'previous', especially with Brighton & Hove Albion. Presumably you think think it's acceptable for someone to buy a property adjacent to a football stadium and then use ££££ in legal aid complaining that there is 'light' and 'noise' for a few hours once or twice a month?
I don't think Andy knows the difference between rights and priveleges.
Would still love to hear from Linda as to why she didn't join her Dad in this legal battle.
AmboGuy
says...
11:30pm Fri 15 Mar 13
Andy R wrote:Nice. Mature man is Andy R.
JHunty wrote:Ooh...look what's just crawled out of the woodwork......
HJarrs wrote:Nor does being thrown out of a council meeting for being disruptive when he didn't get what he wanted make him a domestic extremist, does make him a bit of a something that rhymes with Catt though. Funny how Andy R all of a sudden has decided that people have a right to peaceful protest, seems he can't make his mind up, John Catt has a right to peaceful protest, a ten year old girl on the March For England, doesn't. Smashedo have a right to harass the workforce at EDO but the anti abortionists don't have a right to harass the workforce at the local clinic.
Stripes wrote:It doesn't make him a domestic extremist.
Smartbloke wrote:Gibberish!
Mart wrote: This bloke is a professional protester, and confirmed pain in the a*se pensioner. He caused a ton of legal problems for the Albion whilst at Withdean, and should really find himself some far less costly and self destructive hobbies.Gibberish.
Clearly you have very little knowledge of the 'previous', especially with Brighton & Hove Albion. Presumably you think think it's acceptable for someone to buy a property adjacent to a football stadium and then use ££££ in legal aid complaining that there is 'light' and 'noise' for a few hours once or twice a month?
I don't think Andy knows the difference between rights and priveleges.
Would still love to hear from Linda as to why she didn't join her Dad in this legal battle.
Not content with being found out lying on this forum regarding squatters attacking an MP you come on here to add nothing to the debate.
bikerjimbo says...
12:17pm Fri 15 Mar 13