News Archive 2005
No news as yet - 23rd December 2005
No news as yet. We are still waiting for a report from Richmonds Solicitors. The Directors are endeavouring to clarify the situation and should be able to report to the Membership by the end of this month.
COMBINED ARMED FORCES FEDERATION (UK) - 1st December 2005
In response to many enquiries, many of you may have seen the following statement in the media made by the COMBINED ARMED FORCES FEDERATION (UK):- "The Combined Armed Forces Federation UK is in the process of challenging the Government over the fact that many members of the Armed Forces, who left before qualifying for a full pension prior to 1975, should be entitled to a pro-rata pension, based on the number of years served, because salary levels were reduced below the civilian equivalent in order to provide them" To our (AFPG Ltd) knowledge, CAFF(UK) have not demonstrated in any way that the above statement is true. If it were this company making that claim, we could follow it up with details of our action in the British High Court, when the British Government (who sing our praises highly when military action is required) fought us hard and long with every means possible, eventually having us struck out. The Judge was not convinced and gave AFPG the right to appeal. The British Government (Treasury, MoD and FCO) put forward a legal team worthy of defending the nation against the rest of the world which led us to believe we have a just cause worth fighting for. We lost at appeal and at the House of Lords although these were a foregone conclusion given the Government's resolve to "see us off". We had to pursue, at an extreme cost to the members, the last two actions in order to take our case to the European Court of Human Rights. This is where we are now! That is what I call CHALLENGING THE GOVERNMENT! If anyone knows what action CAFF(UK) is "actively progressing" perhaps they would be kind enough to let one of the Directors at AFPG Ltd into the secret. Certainly CAFF(UK) have consistently tried to gain information from AFPG by attending our meetings (uninvited) and telephoning our legal advisers. If they hope to ride on the back of AFPG they will be disappointed. Our "Limited Company" action is on behalf of the company members only. Yes, it is likely it will set a precedent but similar action will have to come from other groups or individuals if they are to benefit. Believe me, the British Government (H.M.Treasury) will not pay out a penny more than it is obliged (or instructed) so to do. Barry Wells - Director AFPG Ltd.
No Further News - 20th October 2005
No further news at this time. Keep hanging in there!
ECHR website - 30th January 2007
One of our members has contacted the ECHR website saying he was an interested party. He received the following from 'DympnaSwanton@echr.coe.int' :- "Hudson & Others case (Application no. 34493/04) the case is still pending before the court. It is likely that the initial examination will commence before the end of the year." The email was signed Clare Ovey For The Registrar. Hang in there everyone there may be a light at the end of the tunnel!!!
ECHR website - 22nd July 2005
Our ECHR application number is: 34493/04. The ECHR website is: www.echr.coe.int. There is very little to report at this time. Our application has now been at Strasbourg ten months but on the positive side we have not been ruled "inadmissable" and we are aware of cases that have been dismissed within five months of applying. This makes it apparent they do carry out a preliminary sift which we have obviously passed. The bad news is that the ECHR has a huge backlog and, as most of you know, French administration closes for holidays during the whole of August. With that in mind, Richmonds Solicitors are actively lobbying senior MP's and at the same time your Directors are making every effort to raise our profile with the media. The response to our letter of April 2005 was very good with in excess of 95% replying positively. Have had many requests to update this site on a more regular basis so will posting at approximate monthly intervals - if only to say that we are still alive and kicking. If any pertinent news breaks it will be posted immediately.
The response to our letter - 29th April 2005
24th January 2007 Today there are now 106 signatures against EDM67 thanks to a lot of letter writing/emails by members to their respective MP's plus personal lobbying carried out by Colin Challen MP. Several questions have already been asked in the House.. We have established some contacts with the media but Colin Challen is now urging that we ALL contact our local papers/radio stations and TV to raise our profile. It is important that we do not lose the momentum - keep at it everyone! If you have any questions of how and what to say, do not hesitate to contact Mike Steel on email info@afpg.info or telephone 01623 402290.
Meeting - 20th April 2005
Main decision made at the meeting in March was that it would be a waste of funds to call an "Open" General Meeting until such time as there is something to present to Members. By now you will all have received a letter asking for a further subscription of £30 to meet the bill from the Treasury regarding costs of the defendants in our High Court and Court of Appeal actions. We have instructed Richmonds to argue the amounts in certain areas and they are optimistic that the total can be reduced. This will also give us the chance to gather in the subscriptions prior to having to make out a cheque. We are often asked the question - 'what is happening at Strasbourg?' Honest answer is that we don't know yet but can assure all Members that every effort is being made to glean some information even if it is only that the case is being processed and there is xxxxx weeks to wait. Your words of encouragement via telephone, email and snailmail are much appreciated.
Not heard anything from Strasbourg - 21st February 2005
Main decision made at the meeting in March was that it would be a waste of funds to call an "Open" General Meeting until such time as there is something to present to Members. By now you will all have received a letter asking for a further subscription of £30 to meet the bill from the Treasury regarding costs of the defendants in our High Court and Court of Appeal actions. We have instructed Richmonds to argue the amounts in certain areas and they are optimistic that the total can be reduced. This will also give us the chance to gather in the subscriptions prior to having to make out a cheque. We are often asked the question - 'what is happening at Strasbourg?' Honest answer is that we don't know yet but can assure all Members that every effort is being made to glean some information even if it is only that the case is being processed and there is xxxxx weeks to wait. Your words of encouragement via telephone, email and snailmail are much appreciated.