The Forced Shut Down

The HTDBS web-site was summarily shut down by ISP, Freenetname, on Friday, 3 March 2000 at or about 6.00 pm.

The shutdown followed Freenetname's receipt of a letter from London based solicitors acting for the Federation of Small Businesses.

Remove Contents From Site Or Else

In a telephone call to Hubert Taylor of HTDBS, at or about 9.00 am Thursday 2 March 2000, which was the first time of contact on the matter, Mr Chris Coglan, Freenetname's Operations Manager, directed that material which he alleged to be 'potentially defamatory', should be removed from the HTDBS web-site by.
6.00 pm the same day.

At that same time Freenetname refused to;

• present his directive and reason in writing,

• provide a copy of the FSB solicitor's letter

• identify the potentially defamatory sections of the
  20 to 30 pages of information on the website

• investigate Hubert Taylor's assurance that, (as stated on the web-site), the published information was factually accurate and that the purpose of the publication was to expose misuse of FSB funds so that corrective action cab be taken

Freenetname insisted that if the material was not removed by 6.00 pm that same day, the web-site would be taken off-line by Freenetanme.

Freenetname Refused To Check Facts

Freenetname were unwilling to check the contents of the site and discuss the matter with Hubert Taylor, before taking the site off-line.

Acting immediately to avoid the cost of legal action was the normal course for Freenetname he, said.

He added that Freenetname provided the web-space to HTDBS free of charge and so, not unreasonably, Freenetname could not afford to take on major Court cases.

Little Concern For Freenetname Client

A terse memo from Freenetname to Hubert Taylor at 12.31 pm Thursday 2 March 2000, insisted that allegedly potentially defamatory contents be removed from the web-site.

However neither verbally nor in the memo to HTDBS on 2 March 2000 was there any indication as to which elements of the site-contents were considered potentially defamatory.

Freenetname infact suggested that I could otherwise take web-site else where but then ask for a payment of £90 plus VAT before the HTDBS domain name could be transferred. It appears unreasonable that HTDBS' site was to be removed without any contravention of Freenetname's terms and conditions yet full payment for the transfer of the domain name was to be demanded.

Out Of Character

The approach to this matter was out of character with the high quality of of support services otherwise received from Freenetname. HTDBS here acknowledge the quality of service and facilities otherwise provided by Freenetname.

If the reason was because of the bullying tactics of the FSB 'establishment' as applied through their lawyers, then at least the damage to Freenetname will be transitory.

A copy of Freenetname's 'close down' memo will be published if no compromise can be reached.

Shutdown Observations

Please click ... SHUTDOWN OBSERVATIONS ... To read further facts of a 'bullying' shutdown which, if not countered could cover-up possible criminal activities and consequent misuse of thousands of pounds of FSB members' funds. The facts will out!

Those resposible must take a pace backwards from FSB appointments or be shamed for their acts or negligent omissions.