Thread by @gameoldgirl

Given the publication of this report by @briancathcart and a related piece by @julianpetley (see link), may I add to the mix a couple more observations about @kathy__odonnell's employment tribunal against @thetimes
/1
inforrm.org/2019/06/26/the…

https://twitter.com/docrussjackson/status/1143937398675517445

@BrianCathcart @JulianPetley @kathy__odonnell @thetimes As someone who has known Andrew Norfolk for many years as a fine reporter and liked him as a person, I’m uncomfortable with this wholesale attack on his integrity.

/2

@BrianCathcart @JulianPetley @kathy__odonnell @thetimes Nevertheless, the fostering story was a shameful episode for @thetimes and I am deeply concerned about Islamophobia in the Press, as I wrote for @theneweuropean in March.
theneweuropean.co.uk/top-stories/li….
/3

@BrianCathcart @JulianPetley @kathy__odonnell @thetimes @TheNewEuropean As @julianpetley writes, the question of Islamophobia and transphobia are closely linked in @kathy_odonnell’s case.
If you recall, I posted this thread last month.

https://twitter.com/threadreaderapp/status/1129737738872328195?s=20

/4

@BrianCathcart @JulianPetley @kathy__odonnell @thetimes @TheNewEuropean @kathy_odonnell The editor John Witherow took the stand two days later, defending the paper’s coverage and denying any discrimination against Ms O’Donnell. @Jamesdoleman tweeted from the hearing.

https://twitter.com/jamesdoleman/status/1129367654010114048?s=20

/5

And also filed for @bylinetimes byline.com/project/86/art…

@BrianCathcart @JulianPetley @kathy__odonnell @thetimes @TheNewEuropean @kathy_odonnell @jamesdoleman @BylineTimes In his evidence for the claimant, @martinbarrow told the tribunal that Andrew Norfolk had consulted him about the #muslimfosterchild story before publication and said that the story had come from an “oligarch friend” of the editor who was connected to the birth mother.

/6

@BrianCathcart @JulianPetley @kathy__odonnell @thetimes @TheNewEuropean @kathy_odonnell @jamesdoleman @BylineTimes @MartinBarrow You can read his statement here: bylinetimes.com/2019/05/15/tim…

/7

@BrianCathcart @JulianPetley @kathy__odonnell @thetimes @TheNewEuropean @kathy_odonnell @jamesdoleman @BylineTimes @MartinBarrow @TheTimes’s lawyer described the account as “tosh” that was based on Barrow’s antipathy towards Witherow.
In his testimony, Witherow said that Barrow’s evidence was “a fantasy” and “a lie”.
/8

@BrianCathcart @JulianPetley @kathy__odonnell @thetimes @TheNewEuropean @kathy_odonnell @jamesdoleman @BylineTimes @MartinBarrow If so, Barrow was quick off the mark with his fantasising. On the day the story appeared, he sent me a Twitter DM in response to a thread I had posted. He said that Norfolk was “conflicted” and that the child came from “a billionaire family with influence”.
/9

@BrianCathcart @JulianPetley @kathy__odonnell @thetimes @TheNewEuropean @kathy_odonnell @jamesdoleman @BylineTimes @MartinBarrow This was in August 2017, months before O’Donnell was sacked. One wonders why anyone would make up such a story/fantasy/lie (and share it only privately with a friend). Indeed, Witherow was asked as much and said he didn’t know.

/10

@BrianCathcart @JulianPetley @kathy__odonnell @thetimes @TheNewEuropean @kathy_odonnell @jamesdoleman @BylineTimes @MartinBarrow As a foster parent and journalist, Barrow tweeted on the subject, but deleted one referring to a “drunken billionaire” after being taken to task by Norfolk in an email complaining that it came too close to identifying the child, contrary to family law.
/11

@BrianCathcart @JulianPetley @kathy__odonnell @thetimes @TheNewEuropean @kathy_odonnell @jamesdoleman @BylineTimes @MartinBarrow So it wasn’t a lie that the reporter sought Barrow’s counsel, nor was the child’s wealthy background. The only possible fantasy is that Witherow gave Norfolk the story and insisted that it be written.

/12

@BrianCathcart @JulianPetley @kathy__odonnell @thetimes @TheNewEuropean @kathy_odonnell @jamesdoleman @BylineTimes @MartinBarrow Well, we know it was published. It would be nice to know if Witherow is acquainted with anyone involved in the case. But if Barrow’s evidence is fiction, how strange that @thetimes has not called the reporter to refute his allegations.

/13

@BrianCathcart @JulianPetley @kathy__odonnell @thetimes @TheNewEuropean @kathy_odonnell @jamesdoleman @BylineTimes @MartinBarrow One other small observation about the Witherow testimony. He appeared in court on the International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia. Here’s @jamesdoleman’s tweet on the subject.

https://twitter.com/jamesdoleman/status/1129379387831443457?s=20

/14

@BrianCathcart @JulianPetley @kathy__odonnell @thetimes @TheNewEuropean @kathy_odonnell @jamesdoleman @BylineTimes @MartinBarrow In fact, Witherow was slightly less specific, asking O’Donnell’s counsel “How do you know we’re not going to cover it?”

And did the paper mark it, as the editor said it would, the following day?
Nope.

/15

@BrianCathcart @JulianPetley @kathy__odonnell @thetimes @TheNewEuropean @kathy_odonnell @jamesdoleman @BylineTimes @MartinBarrow @Theguardian, @pressgazette joined @bylinenews in covering Witherow’s appearance, but have not returned to the case. No one else has touched it. They should.

/16

@BrianCathcart @JulianPetley @kathy__odonnell @thetimes @TheNewEuropean @kathy_odonnell @jamesdoleman @BylineTimes @MartinBarrow @theguardian @pressgazette @bylinenews This case has bearing on many issues, not simply one woman’s gripe against a former employer or even just attitudes to trans people. It is about workplace ethics, about what constitutes fair debate, about press freedom and about personal freedoms.

/17

@BrianCathcart @JulianPetley @kathy__odonnell @thetimes @TheNewEuropean @kathy_odonnell @jamesdoleman @BylineTimes @MartinBarrow @theguardian @pressgazette @bylinenews If this case involved almost any other industry – and most definitely our national broadcaster – it would be followed with close interest.
The case resumes for its closing stages on July 8. Maybe some MSM reporters might care to attend.

/ends

Oops - apologies to the lady in Australia, I am, of course, referring to @kathy__odonnell