2009-10-28 17:14:50 - Former businessman Chris Carter faces 47 days in prison if his appeal at the High Court on Friday 30 October to overturn his smoking ban conviction fails.

Chris Carter had originally walked into the offices of North Down Borough Council and lit a cigarette on 9 October 2007 to test what he called the “legality of the law”. Mr Carter stated, “We in the UK-wide smoker’s rights movement have now gathered clear evidence to show that this particular law was gained illicitly.”

Vital to his defence are the witnesses that he intends to call, but his witness requests at previous hearings have been refused.

Mr Carter, who will be representing himself, has confirmed that this would give him the opportunity to question Secretary of State Shaun Woodward, NIO Minister Paul Goggins, and several senior civil servants. These individuals were instrumental in drafting the legislation introduced in April 2007 in

Northern Ireland.

Mr Carter has already confirmed that he cannot afford to pay the fine of £250 plus costs of £1000 administered at his original conviction and faces 47 days in prison for non-payment of this fine if his latest appeal fails.

Phil Johnson, Pub and Club Liaison officer for Freedom2Choose states, “I find it incomprehensible that in all previous hearings Chris has had his witness requests refused. Why are these politicians and their aides protected in this way? Surely they are not above the law, making them exempt from all judicial proceedings?”

Pro-choice group Freedom2Choose fully supports Chris Carter in his bid to ensure justice prevails.

References:
1 www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sunday-life/news/fuming-smoker-refuse ..
2 www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/opinion/columnists/gerry-anderson/ger ..