McDonalds alleged they had been libelled in a London Greenpeace factsheet, entitled “Whats wrong with McDonalds?
– Everything they don’t want you to know”; the issues in dispute concerned the responsibility of McDonald’s and the food industry/multinationals for; third world hunger; damage to the environment (tropical forests & recycling and waste); the deceptive promotion of unhealthy food and the links between diet and disease; exploitative advertising to children; cruelty to animals; low wages, poor working conditions and hostility to trade unions. Publication was also in issue. The Counterclaim related to press releases and leaflets published by the 2nd Plaintiff which accused the Defendants of lying to the public, both about the issues in the main action, and about their involvement in the campaign. 6. The case was heard by Judge alone. As with all defamation actions, no legal aid was available to the defence, and we were unrepresented throughout both the trial and the appeal. We are both, and have both been at all times, of very low financial means (Ms Steel is a part-time bar worker paid ap
