BRACERS Notes

Record no. Notes, topics or text
109729

Enclosed letter from Major, Son and Phipps is at document .113033, record 109730. Gibbon and Rogers write that, though there have been visitors to the house, not many offers have been made. They note that BR may want to reconsider his decision to accept nothing less than £5000, and to accept the offer of £4600 put forth in the above letter.

109730

Major, Son and Phipps offer £4600 for BR's Richmond property, after their surveyor evaluated its worth to be £4300.

109731

Gibbon and Rogers write that they have notified the agents of BR's acceptance of the offer of £4600.

The attached letter is at document .113035, record 109732—it is sent by the agents of the purchaser.

109732

They are pleased to hear that BR will accept their client's offer of £4600. Their client's name is Dennis Rosen.

109733

They write of their disappointment at hearing that Rosen will no longer be purchasing the house. They agree to put the house on the market at a lower price. A draft of a response is handwritten on the letter.

109734
Rogers writes of a flood after heavy rainfall.
109735

Rogers writes of a Mrs. Avery's help in taking care of the property, and of her underpayment.

109736

Rogers writes that, since BR has recently paid Mrs. Avery, he will withhold the £3 he planned to give her.

109737

It is asked that Lady Russell forward customs charges for a previously delivered package. Hawks was the Accountant General.

109738

Birnberg has had an acknowledgement from editor Hetherington and has heard from the Guardian's solicitors, Lovell, White and King.

109739

This is a statement of interest from which income tax has not been deducted.

109740

This is an invoice from J. Davis, Builder and Decorator. Each sheet of the document was mistakenly given a separate document number, i.e. 113024–113027.

109741

This is an invoice from L. Frumkin and Co., Wines, Spirits and Cigars.

109742

There are enclosed letters to Lubbock, Heelas, Phillips, Noble and Merriton and a newsclip from the Guardian (none present).

Also in file: a duplicate TL(CAR) at document .113042.

109743

They refer to complaints about an article by John Grigg; they do not agree that it can be interpreted as suggesting that BR is guilty of deceit. They claim that their clients did not intend to make any personal attacks, but only to comment on BR and Schoenman's public attitudes and statements.

109744

They thank him for enclosing letters sent to Orpington people, and ask about other enclosures that were supposed to arrive (regarding the Warren Commission, for example).

109745
They thank him for his previous letter.
109746

He encloses (not present) the Honey letters and the memo on the Warren Commission Report, as well as various replies.

Also in file: a duplicate TL(CAR) at document .113047.

109747

They have had a letter from the Guardian's solicitors and enclose a copy (not present).

109748

Enclosed is a letter from Birnberg to Lovell, White and King (see document .113050, record 109749).

109749

They write to the solicitors of the Guardian regarding the complaints laid against them by BR and Schoenman.

109750
They repeat that they do not think that the article meant or was capable of being understood to mean that BR was guilty of deceit. They write that they cannot advise their clients that any further publication is called for.
109751

He has had another letter from the Guardian's solicitors, which he encloses (probably document .113051).

109752

Schoenman writes of his being called a renegade and wonders what action can be taken.

Also in file: a duplicate TL(CAR) at document .113054.

109753

Birnberg has written a last appeal to the Guardian's solicitors, Lovell, White and King. A copy of the letter is attached at document .113056.

109754
They will issue a writ unless an apology is published.
109755

"On the instructions of Ralph Schoenman I today issued a writ on your behalf against the publishers of Penthouse."

109756

They agree with the courses of action Birnberg has laid out in his previous letters.

109757

This is a draft of an apology concerning an article published in the Daily Mirror. It retracts statements regarding BR's senility and Schoenman's sexuality.

109758

This is a draft of an apology concerning an article published in The Economist which suggested that a statement given by BR at the London School of Economics had been written by Schoenman; they recognize here that it was written by BR. They also withdraw statements made against the integrity of BR and Schoenman.

109759

They write on behalf of BR and Ralph Schoenman. They note that an article published in The Economist of 22 February 1965 is highly defamatory of both BR and Schoenman and ask for an apology to be published and for damages to be paid.

109760

They write on behalf of BR and Ralph Schoenman. They note that an article published in the Daily Mirror of 22 February 1965 is highly defamatory of both BR and Schoenman and ask for an apology to be published and for damages to be paid.

109761

This is a draft of an apology to BR regarding comments printed on 18 February, after the LSE Labour Society meeting. They regret insinuating that BR was being exploited by the two leaders of the BRPF.

109762

The company includes a draft of an apology that it would like printed in the next issue of the newspaper. The draft is probably at document .113063.

109763

He writes concerning the letters to be sent to the Daily Mirror and The Economist, and of the draft apologies, all of which they had previously discussed, and he encloses copies (not present). He acknowledges payment.

109764

Birnberg notes that he has written on BR's and Schoenman's behalf to both the Daily Mirror and The Economist. He has also written to the Beaver, student newspaper of the London School of Economics. In each case, he has requested apologies for previous libels.

109765

BR thanks him for his letters and enclosures. He asks that Birnberg send the cheque to the Atlantic Peace Foundation in due course.

109766

This is a copy of a letter. Howard writes that the articles in question accurately record BR's views and are fair assessments. He notes that liability is denied and that he therefore cannot agree to the proposals contained in Birnberg's letter.

109767

Birnberg encloses (not present) a letter from the Daily Mirror. The next step would be to issue a writ.

109768

Farley asks Birnberg to issue a writ on behalf of BR and Schoenman.

109769

Birnberg thanks Farley for the authorization of the writ. He is sending the papers to counsel.

109770

He has issued writs against the Economist and the Daily Mirror. Enclosed are letters to both publications (see documents .113073 and .113074).

109771

Birnberg writes regarding BR's complaint against the Economist (those addressed are their lawyers).

109772
He writes in regards to BR's complaint against the publication.
109773

He writes about the Scandinavian Airlines matter. The claim regarding Schoenman's lost suitcase has been settled.

109774

He writes about the International Union of Socialist Youth and encloses a letter from them. He also encloses a statement he drafted which he will ask that they publish after Ralph approves it. See documents .113077 and .113078 (record 109775).

109775

Ericson is the Secretary General. He writes concerning a statement made by BR concerning an upcoming Communist festival.

109776

Birnberg has received another letter from the International Union of Socialist Youth; they do not agree to publish the suggested statement. Birnberg does not think there is anything else to be done except to write to  Socialist International Information regarding the publication of the statement.

109777

Birnberg writes regarding a published apology in Socialist International Information. This is the best they can do.

109778

He encloses a letter from the British Traders Association; see document .113081.

109779
They write regarding a misunderstanding of fees.
109780

She thanks him for the letter regarding the British Traders Association and notes that Schoenman is presently abroad. She thinks it may be best to avoid court proceedings by paying the claim.

109781

He encloses a letter he has sent to the Beaver; see document .113085.

109782

Birnberg writes on behalf of BR and his secretaries Schoenman and Farley. He claims that defamatory comments were made in a report of the meeting at the LSE addressed by BR on 15 February 1965. Birnberg asks that they publish an apology.

109783

BR and Schoenman authorize Benedict Birnberg to act on their behalf in the matter of their libel action against the Daily Mirror and The Economist.

109784

He writes regarding The Economist. He asks specific questions about Schoenman's role in BR's address.

109785

He will send £350 to the Atlantic Peace Foundation soon.

109786

Schoenman answers the questions asked in document .113087, record 109784. He writes of BR's address to the London School of Economics.

109787

He encloses (not present) a letter from H. Philip Levy of the legal department at the Daily Mirror, which appeared in that week's New Statesman.

109788

Birnberg thanks Farley for enclosing the letter from the New Statesman.

109789
Birnberg writes that counsel has settled the form of the writ and has written out an opinion, which he encloses at document .113093.
109790

He has had a reply from Oswald Hickson, Collier and Co., the solicitors acting for the proprietors of The Economist, and he encloses a copy of their letter. Birnberg thinks that the case against The Economist is much stronger than that against the Daily Mirror. He has forwarded papers and a copy of the letter to James Evans.

109791

Birnberg has forwarded this copy of a letter to Farley. The solicitors write about BR and Schoenman's case against The Economist.

109792

He writes regarding the Economist and the Daily Mirror. Birnberg has sent copies of the writs to both newspapers. The Economist has replied, suggesting that they might instead publish a letter from BR. Birnberg wants to know BR's opinion on this course of action.

109793

BR considers the Economist's suggestion to be unsuitable. He wishes to press for the publication of a statement of apology, and to proceed with the writ.

109794

The Daily Mirror is prepared to publish a disclaimer.

Birnberg encloses (not present) the terms of the disclaimer and asks for Farley's instructions in the matter.

109795

BR feels that the terms of the Daily Mirror's disclaimer are inadequate, and he notes several corrections to be made.

109796

Counsel suggests that they ought to agree to the publication of the disclaimer, though it may be inadequate. Such action may indeed help their position since it will reveal the weakness of the Daily Mirror's case.

Attached is the text of the disclaimer; see document .113103. Also in file: photocopies at documents .113100 and .113101.

109797

BR wishes to take counsel's advice and to encourage the Daily Mirror to print the disclaimer.

109798

Birnberg has contacted the Daily Mirror.

109799

Farley writes that the BRPF and the Atlantic Peace Foundation papers are at his house; he will have to send them in the morning.

109800

The disclaimer was published in the Daily Mirror of May 22.

Birnberg attaches a defence with a "request for further and better particulars of the statement of claim". Birnberg lays out the defendant's position. He encloses a copy of the defence at document .113108.

109801
He asks that the list of documents signed be returned.
109802

He encloses a copy of the "further and better particulars of the defence". He asks for all copies of his source material.

109803

He encloses a copy of the "Further and Better Particulars of the Defence" delivered by the Economist solicitors (not present).

109804

Schoenman encloses a letter from the International Union of Socialist Youth (not present). He also encloses a copy of Elan (not present).

109805

He thanks Schoenman for his letter and enclosures. He now encloses a letter he has written to Mr. Ericson of the International Union of Socialist Youth (see document .113115, record 109806).

109806

He writes concerning a public misunderstanding of a letter BR published in Elan. He asks that Ericson's organization publish a corrective as soon as possible.

109807

He encloses three more examples of "Cassandra" [of the Daily Telegraph]. He apologizes for not having more on the Economist.

109808

He encloses a letter sent to the BBC (see document .113118, record 109809).

109809

He complains about the slanderous innuendo of a statement regarding the BRPF's support of the Bolshoi Ballet. He asks for damages on BR's behalf.

109810

He provides details of the proceedings against the Economist and the Daily Mirror. He encloses a typed copy of two separate opinions (see documents .113120, .113121 and .113122).

109811

He complains of an incident at a restaurant—finding glass in his food—and asks for Birnberg to take up the matter.

109812
They record disbursements for sundry libel matters.
109813

He thanks Schoenman for the memo and for the rental agreement for the [Vauxhall] Velox car. He asks for details of any expense resulting from the breakdown of the two vehicles.

109814

He writes regarding the Penthouse matter, and asks for payment for sundry libel matters.

109815

He writes of the expenditures associated with a broken car.

He encloses (not present) a letter from Merioneth School District and a memo from Farley.

109816

He writes about Schoenman's lost suitcase.

109817

He has written to the SAS and encloses a copy of the letter (not present).

109818

Schoenman thanks him for writing the letter to the SAS.

109819

He writes regarding Locks Limited; it will be necessary to pay the amount claimed.

109820

He thanks Schoenman for his letter.

109821

The case regarding the obstruction charge has been adjourned to the 8th of June. Birnberg asks for a measurement between Upper Grosvenor Street and the Mews where Schoenman was arrested.

109822

He writes of a previous letter he had sent to Farley, and asks for any material showing a history of friction between BR and the Daily Mirror and/or Cassandra. Birnberg also asks for a further payment for this action as well as the Economist action.

109823

Birnberg thanks Schoenman for the letter regarding Cassandra.

109824

He has not heard back regarding his most recent letter. He warns that the Economist action requires immediate attention.

109825

He asks for a copy of Newsweek to be forwarded (August 30 edition). He proposes to issue a writ on behalf of Mark Lane. Birnberg also asks for more details about the mock trial of Oswald.

109826

The matter regarding the Economist must be passed onto the new solicitors immediately, but Birnberg has not yet heard from BR. He asks that the matter be attended to without further delay.

109827

BR asks for further explanation of bills sent on August 4, and notes the lengthy and unsatisfactory Economist proceedings.

109828

He has not heard from anyone recently and asks if they plan to meet the account. He notes that he cannot leave the actions in their present state, and offers options for settling them; it would be best if the BRPF's new solicitors could file a notice of change.