I am still awaiting a response from Lynn Hughes, editor of the Luton Herald & Post, following last week's now infamous article.
On Monday I sent the following email:
Dear Ms Hughes
Re Alan Dee's article in the current issue of the Herald & Post, I am writing to add the name of Forest (Freedom Organisation for the Right to Enjoy Smoking Tobacco) to those who have already commented via email and on various blogs including my own.
Unlike tobacco control lobbyists (who refuse frequently to share a platform or debate openly with us) I believe in free speech and I defend anyone's right to be offensive or to have a different opinion to mine.
For that reason I will not be joining the chorus of voices who wish to take this matter to the Press Complaints Commission or, worse, the police.
Nevertheless, on behalf of our supporters, I must express deep disappointment with the tone and content of Alan Dee's article.
It seems that smokers are an easy target these days. I certainly can't imagine Alan Dee having the courage to make similar comments about other minority groups, or those who are unfit, overweight, enjoy a drink etc.
He is mistaken too to speak so derisively of Stony Stratford where an ill-judged attempt to ban smoking in all outdoor public places has met fierce opposition and attracted little or no support.
The people who protested so vehemently against a ban on smoking in the streets of Stony Stratford are ordinary people. They included smokers and non-smokers like myself.
Alan Dee is entitled to both his opinion and his adolescent sense of humour, but the people he is attacking represent not just ordinary people but a substantial percentage of your readership.
I am not seeking an apology, although we would like an acknowledgement of the anger Alan Dee's article has provoked.
Instead I would like to request the right of reply in your next available issue, preferably on the same page occupied by Alan Dee. (I'm sure he won't mind giving up his column for one week only!)
I appreciate that this may go against your normal editorial policy but in the light of Alan Dee's incendiary article - which coincided unintentionally with the grave and tragic events in Norway - I believe that it would be an appropriate response.
I look forward to your reply.
Yours sincerely
Simon Clark
Director, Forest
If anyone has received a response from Lynn Hughes it would be useful to know before we take the matter further.
On Monday grumpybutterfly reported that he thought she sounded "contrite" when he spoke to her.
No evidence of that so far.
If I was in Lynn Hughes's shoes I would have at least acknowledged our complaints, if only to take the heat out of the situation.
Instead she may be hoping we will go away. We won't.
PS. I am trying to track down a copy of this week's issue, out today, to see whether there is any reference to Alan Dee's article.
Meanwhile I have sent a further email to the editor:
Dear Ms Hughes
I would be grateful for a response to my email, sent on Monday, and your reaction to the complaints you have received following the publication of Alan Dee's article last week.
An early response would be appreciated.
Simon Clark
Director, Forest
Simon Clark