Judge Bruce Morgan apologised to Sunderland Magistrate's Court on 9 April for having to read his judgement from fifty pages of handwriting because the Court had failed to supply him with a typist. Although the defence had to serve notice of appeal within three weeks, the typed judgement was not made available until six weeks later.

Only now, therefore, have all those concerned had an opportunity of studying the document. It contains a shocking statement.

District judge Morgan wrote, "it would be difficult to have a common market with two ways of measuring mass". Mr Vivian Linacre, director of the BWMA, said, "To express such a personal opinion, that has nothing to do with the law, is an outrageous abuse of judicial authority. It clearly betrays political prejudice and thereby invalidates his judgement."

Moreover, it is plainly wrong. A single system of weights and measures is a low priority in any common market. The highest priorities would be a single currency and a single language. After thirty years the "common market" is flourishing with a variety of these. The use of imperial measures is no more exceptional than the use of a different language.

The BWMA demands that the Lord Chancellor intervenes in this case to prevent further waste of Sunderland council-tax payers' money. He should annul the proceedings, expunge Steve Thoburn's conviction and confirm the award of nil costs against the defence.

For further information CONTACT: Mr Vivian Linacre, BWMA Director 45 Montgomery Street, Edinburgh EH7 5JX (Tel. & FAX: 0131 556 6080)

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