http://www.thepressnewspaper.co.uk/NewsDetails.asp?id=882


READERS and supporters continue to pour money into The Press's Freedom of Speech Fund and two more fundraising events are planned for the coming weeks.

A race night will be held at the Airedale Heifer in Mirfield on Saturday November 25 (8pm) and Irish band Red Claire will perform at another big night at The Park pub in Bradford Road, Batley, on Saturday December 2.

Tickets will go on sale this week for the Red Claire concert and are available from the pub, next to Batley Park, and from The Press offices in Oates Street, Dewsbury.

Tickets cost £6 each and include a buffet supper. The event starts at 7pm with the band, which includes Dewsbury East BNP councillor Colin Auty, going on stage at around 8pm.

Since the campaign was launched the coffers have been swelled by two events at the Old Colonial Club in Mirfield and another at the Moorend WMC in Dewsbury Moor.

Dewsbury, Mirfield and Heckmondwike Labour MP Shahid Malik has launched a libel action in the High Court in London against The Press newspaper and former Tory councillor Jonathan Scott over a letter by Mr Scott over what happened outside polling stations in Dewsbury at this year's local elections.

Martin Shaw, managing director at The Press, said the newspaper and Mr Scott were standing shoulder-to-shoulder and would defend the case all the way.

"We have had support from all sections of the community and we can't thank people enough for their backing," said Mr Shaw.

"They realise we are a newspaper which plays hard but fair and we give all sides an equal opportunity to air their views.

"The number of readers who are prepared to hand over their hard-earned money in support of freedom of speech is amazing and our solicitors, Fox Hayes, have taken statements from several major political figures who will give evidence on our behalf.

"We have hired top media barrister Jonathan Crystal and we are increasingly confident we will win the case."




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