Date: Thu, 3 NOV 1994 02:22:31 +0000 From: Mike Phillips Newgroups: alt.religion.scientology Subject: Press Release on JON ATACK The following is a UK Press Release of this date: COURT OF APPEAL DISMISSES CRITIC OF SCIENTOLOGY IN LANDMARK DECISION A critic of the Church of ScientoIogy who brought a High Court action seeking to prevent dissemination of information about his past drug dealing and psychiatric history has had his case thrown out by a panel of three Court of Appeal Judges, led by the Master of the Rolls, Lord Justice Bingham. Antagonist Jon Atack had earlier been given leave to appeal a decision rendered by High Court Judge Mr Justice Bell who had dismissed Atack's case due to his continual refusal to comply with court orders. But the Court of Appeal on Monday set aside Atack's leave to appeal, saying his appeal had no chance of success. Previous case law permitted a reversal of leave to appeaI only if it could be shown that the Court of Appeals granted leave as a result of being misled, but the Master of the Rolls decided that leave can also be withdrawn if an appeal is on its merits futile. This ruling will act as a precedent for any future similar cases. Atack's barrister, Mr David Ryan, told the court that Atack is on income support and has no money at all. Therefore, the Court of Appeal ordered the Legal Aid Board to pay the Church for the costs of the hearing amounting to several thousand pounds. Atack originally filed his suit in March 1993, claiming that the Church had breached confidence when informing people of his criminal past and psychiatric background. Atack, who claimed to make a living criticising Scientology, pleaded that if the truth about him were known nobody would hire him. The Church contended that the information was readily available from non-confidential sources, and there could not in any event be confidence in iniquity. Atack has tried for years to make a living by 'exposing' non- existent controversies in Scientology, and has even said that he intended to destroy the Church. It is therefore ironic that the moment the Church began to expose the indisputable truth about him he ran to the courts crying foul play and claiming confidentiality. The Church is now free to show that not only does Atack falsely depict the Church, but also falsely depicts himself in the same way. The past Atack sought to hide includes an unprosecuted history of dealing in LSD. Church spokesman Margaret Reese commented, "We have found that Mr Atack is one of those people who invariably accuses others of what he is doing himself. In the past he has accused the Church of trying to silence its crities, when in fact it was he who was desperately trying to silence people who were simply telling the truth about him." Atack still owes the Church huge legal costs from earlier hearings. (ends)