NEWS FROM THE CELTIC LEAGUE
The Cornish branch of the Celtic League is co-ordinating a campaign of protest about a recent article in the Western Daily Press which they say was insulting to Cornwall and the Cornish people.
A protest to the newspapers Editor is set out below.
As indicated the branch are encouraging individual protests from both within Cornwall and from the other Celtic countries in support of their campaign to seek redress.
Michael Chappell has sent a detailed circular to contacts in Cornwall and the wider Celtic movement seeking support. If you want to contribute and require further information contact:
Kernow@celticleague.net
“The Editor in Chief
Western Daily Press,
Temple Way,
Bristol,
BS99 7HD
11 March, 2015
Without Prejudice
Dear Sir or Madam
Official Complaint – Western Daily Press article dd. 11th March, 2015 – ‘ Cornish language and the NFU would do well to listen to outside forces ‘
References
a. Official Recognition of the Cornish Language 2002 https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/…/herita…/cornish/
b. Official and legal recognition of the Cornish National Minority 2014 https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/…/herita…/cornish/
c. Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities https://conventions.coe.int/Treaty/en/Treaties/Html/157.htm
d. Western Daily Press article dd. 11th March, 2015 https://www.westerndailypress.co.uk/…/story-26150…/story.html
1. For your ease of understanding, we write to you in the English language.
2. We are aware of bigoted and racist comments included in an article written by Chris Rundle dated 28 November 2007 entitled “Saints alive! Pasty eaters demand new bank holiday” and published in the Western Daily Press.
3. We write with reference to an article published in your newspaper dated 11 March, 2015 by the same Chris Rundle and entitled ‘Cornish language and the NFU would do well to listen to outside forces’ with a sub heading of ‘Cornish is not worth the prop’
4. This article has been read by a number of our members and followers who have been caused considerable personal upset by its content.
5. We now offer you the opportunity to withdraw the article and its contents following the sub heading ‘Cornish is not worth the prop’ and to arrange for a printed apology by Chris Rundle for the inaccurate nature of its statements, the racist inferences and bigoted references and the overall bad journalism.
6. If the gentleman referred to as ‘Steve’ in the article cares to contact us, we should be only too pleased to obtain his details and to advise him as to his redress in law against those who have given him ‘a bit of stick’.
7. We look forward to your response within 14 days after which we reserve the right to take this matter to the Press Complaints Commission and to our designated contact at the Equality and Human Rights Commission flagging a possible breach of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities.
Yours faithfully
Cllr. Michael J Chappell
Caderyor – An Kesunyans Keltek Scoren Gernewek
(Convener – Cornish Branch of the Celtic League)”
Updates on this developing story will also be posted on the Kernow branch facebook site.
J B Moffatt (Mr)
Director of Information
Celtic League
12/03/15
(Please note that replies to correspondence received by the League and posted on CL News are usually scanned hard copies. Obviously every effort is made to ensure the scanning process is accurate but sometimes errors do occur)
ISSUED BY THE CELTIC LEAGUE INFORMATION SERVICE
The Celtic League has branches in the six Celtic Countries. It works to promote cooperation between these countries and campaigns on a broad range of political, cultural and environmental matters. It highlights human rights abuse, monitors all military activity and focuses on socio-economic issues
Internet site at:
https://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/