Apology by Tony McClelland to the FHA
September 2005
“In August 1995 I published a newsletter which
reproduced an article about Jeremy Griffith, Tim Macartney-Snape, the
Foundation for Humanity’s Adulthood and its members. The article
made allegations against them that were untrue and hurtful.
I withdraw any such allegations and apologise for any offence which was
caused.”
Tony McClelland made the above apology on 23 September 2005 to the FHA in settlement of the defamation action brought against him in relation to a 1995 newsletter he published.
Despite having no formal qualification in the area, Mr McClelland became a self-appointed authority and provider of information on organisations he believed to be having a damaging impact in the Australian community. At the time he managed to obtain a significant profile in the media.
In respect of the FHA, Mr McClelland and his organisation became a prominent detractor of the FHA who was referred to by those campaigning against the FHA’s work leading up to and during the 1995 media attack on the FHA and its work.
At no point before or after preparing his newsletter did Mr McClelland contact the FHA or offer a right of reply or an opportunity to present a balancing viewpoint. This was despite Mr McClelland knowing at the time of the publication that the FHA strongly rejected the allegations made and that there was cause for serious doubt about the validity of such allegations. When the FHA later complained to Mr McClelland he did not respond.
This apology is another very important step for the FHA, its directors and members in achieving proper vindication on these issues and they wish to thank Mr McClelland for making this apology, which they accept.
The ‘article’ referred to in this apology has since been found to be defamatory of the FHA by a NSW Supreme Court jury.
For more information see the court action update.