It is appropriate, perhaps, that a year ago today Natural England issued a licence for the brood meddling of Hen Harriers. Tomorrow will see the third and final day of the court hearing of my legal challenge, and a similar but separate one by the RSPB, against that decision. We will not hear the judge’s verdict for a while, where ‘a while’ is most likely to be a few weeks or a very few months.
I’d like to thank all of you who have helped along the way through a massive crowdfunding response, messages of support and answering questions. I’ve had to put in a lot of hours into this legal challenge, and a lot of emotional investment too, but I have been very happy to do so, and I couldn’t have done it without all of you being alongside me. Thank you.
I’d also like to thank my (our) legal team; Tessa Gregory and Lewis Hadler of Leigh Day and David Wolfe and Zoe Leventhal from Matrix Chambers. They have not only been sparklingly bright but great colleagues too. They are committed to the case (and the cause) and I am convinced that we have given it our best shot.
Nothing but the fullest support Mark. You are doing a great job and “hats off to you”.These types of undertakings are never simple and always involve a lot of work.
It is however an important effort you are making. Although it is nominally Natural England that is being challenged here, it is, because NE have been reduced to a puppet organisation by this Government, in effect this wretched Government itself that is being challenged. I just hope, that although no votes are involved in this case that nevertheless they loose by as big a margin or bigger as they have just lost their Brexit vote in the Commons.
The very best of luck on the final day.
Very best wishes to you and the team Mark, we’ll be rooting for you. Let us know if you need any extra crowdfunding!
Hats off to you all and very best wishes for Thursday (tomorrow) #wewillwin