Animal Liberation Press Office - Relationship With The ALF

Relationship With The ALF

In October 2006, the distinction between the British Animal Liberation Press Office and the ALF was questioned when a High Court judge ruled that Robin Webb was bound by an injunction banning protests at Oxford University. Webb had argued that he was a journalist and not a member of the ALF or its supporters group. According to The Guardian, the judge described Webb as a "central and pivotal figure ," and concluded that "the press office was not a neutral reporting exercise or even simply a vehicle for apologists for the ALF, but a vital part of the ALF's strategy." In contrast, the North American press office claims:

If the Press Office had any direct dealings with the underground, knew who the members of underground groups were, or were members ourselves, law enforcement would not hesitate to charge and imprison us. The Press Office frequently receives communiques anonymously from these underground groups, and passes them along to the media, but has no personal knowledge of who sends them or from where they are sent.