Speeches by Hanna.

“I do not think we are going to be in much disagreement about the role of the social media companies and the need to regulate. Malachi has just outlined the personal and financial strain he experienced, and the fact that that is unlikely to be something that has only affected him. Do you acknowledge that that exists wit…”

“As you say, we don’t have a handle on the problem. I am aware, again anecdotally, of cases where an employer—a publication—as you say, a bit like a car insurer, settled for the few quid rather than running the risk of expensive court costs. There is loads I would like to get into, but I am going to pause that for a mom…”

“—that were, in the words of a judge, “scandalous” and “vexatious”, and ones that have drawn out for many years, and explained the effect that has had on you. You touched on why you think the case might have been brought against you specifically. Do we have a culture of this creating a chill factor, and—I am asking you …”

“You have painted a picture of not one but at least two cases—”

“Thank you very much. That was all very disturbing, and now we will move on to the legal intimidation and coercion tactics that you might have been subject to. Malachi, could you outline the legal action brought against you by Gerry Kelly MLA? You might touch on the impact that it had on you personally and financially.”

“There are a lot of issues we will want to come back to.”

“The challenges we are experiencing on Saintfield Road and Sandy Row sound very much like what the hon. Gentleman will be dealing with in Coleraine and Dungiven. Retail provides vibrancy, shared space and a huge rates take. Lisburn Road in south Belfast puts around £6 million into the coffers of Belfast city council. Co…”

“Finally from me, because I am aware of the time pressure, you obviously won your judicial review against the seizing and raiding of your data. What is the status of that data at the moment? Has it been vindicated, or does it still exist within the PSNI?”

“You have touched on this, but do you feel there is enough accountability and oversight for other police? We have the Policing Board, imperfect though it may be; is there enough of an accountability mechanism for some of the other forces involved in this?”

“I note from your comments that you have some confidence in Jon Boutcher’s fresh approach and some of the processes that have still to run. Obviously, the Policing Board was a big part of the new beginning to policing and the change that needed to be created. How would you assess that? Have they been robust enough in th…”

“Thank you all for your evidence. I know that people will find a lot of this alarming, but it is important to resolve it for the culture of lawfulness and trust that we are trying to create. A lot of what this Committee will be doing within this mandate is looking at issues relating to the suppression of information abo…”

“It is the best disinfectant.”

“Who is responsible for the future resilience and the investment in it?”

“But it is an operator. It operates that port. That is what I am trying to understand.”

“In terms of investment in the port, where does Stena see its responsibility for financing it? Is that UK Government or Welsh Government or is that a—”

“Holyhead is obviously vital for supply chains, not just for the UK but between Britain and Ireland, so the taskforce is very welcome. All the work to find new routes probably just underlined how much movement of people and goods there is still between the islands and the continuing scale of interdependence. Can you qua…”

“—that were, in the words of a judge, “scandalous” and “vexatious”, and ones that have drawn out for many years, and explained the effect that has had on you. You touched on why you think the case might have been brought against you specifically. Do we have a culture of this creating a chill factor, and—I am asking you …”

“As you say, we don’t have a handle on the problem. I am aware, again anecdotally, of cases where an employer—a publication—as you say, a bit like a car insurer, settled for the few quid rather than running the risk of expensive court costs. There is loads I would like to get into, but I am going to pause that for a mom…”

“I do not think we are going to be in much disagreement about the role of the social media companies and the need to regulate. Malachi has just outlined the personal and financial strain he experienced, and the fact that that is unlikely to be something that has only affected him. Do you acknowledge that that exists wit…”

“I think all of us would defend people’s right to a good name. I am so sorry to hear about the experience of you and your family. Nobody should face intimidation in the course of their work. You have said that cases like Malachi’s should not happen, but they clearly do, and they happen extensively. The judge, as Malachi…”