A summary of H&H actions in response to continued dissemination of misleading information from Mr James Watt and BrewDog
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Summary of Key Issue: founding members of PWP have been falsely misrepresented of participating in a ''criminal conspiracy'', alongside Charlotte Cook (a participant of the program but who is not a) a founding member of PWP or b) their main spokesperson or C) was a ''researcher'' for BBC. James Watt, BrewDog CEO, has used the media and public channels to assert members of PWP who have been seeking accountability through positive actions are in fact, a part of a two-year-long criminal campaign. He continues to use social media to reiterate a crime has occurred, and to mispresent founding PWP members and Charlotte Cook as being involved in this.
Today's Communication: we feel that if Mr Watt continues to use his digital platforms to perpetuate these assertions which we believe to be false, then we should outline the actions being taken to challenge these claims. To that end, we will not provide any information on criminal matters currently with law enforcement, as that would be a breach of current legislation as it relates to discussing or accusing individuals/companies of criminal actions. We only seek to provide to, and take professional action, to vindicate those falsely accused or misrepresented in Mr Watt’s public, hysterical campaign of misinformation.
Summary of Actions
1. We have sought, through as many available contacts as possible, to correctly attribute the quote:
This has been the most extreme case we’ve seen of a small group of former employees on a mission to cause damage to a brand…., there’s definitely been a small group of people who have a personal vendetta against James - willing to go to all lengths to take down BrewDog.
The quote appears (in differing forms) in the following other places online:
1. JW LinkedIn March (unattributed)
2. Forum Post (attributed to Wiser, Feb 2022)
3. Insider Article (attributed to Allan Leighton) (cannot find anything here, but can see where some version of response or characterisation has been C&P'ed)
4. EFP Forum Post 14.03.2022
5. Has been circulated in a number of public domains, as well as provided to press on multiple occasions
This quote has been used as the basis of justifcation for BrewDog and Mr Watt to misrepresent founders and members of PWP, Charlotte Cook and platform participants. The source of the quote - ''a very independent and credible source'' - is particularly important to verify due to it being mis-attributed to a variety of sources - as above.
2. No founding member of PWP, Charlotte Cook, or platform participants are involved in, or have been notified of, legal matters (civil or criminal) pending against them. We took the action to search public/court records as to the claims of litigation against these members should it have happened without their knowledge. We could not find these cases and once again, no person as above has been involved in or notified of legal proceedings, criminal or civil. However, we remain open and willing to receive information that speaks differently to these matters.
3. As it relates to the lack of meaningful evidence to support the claims being made, we have provided legal support as requested to those who feel they have been falsely accused of criminal activity or their involvement has been purposefully misrepresented.
This support today was a reiteration of the legal perspective on an individuals right under GDPR / ICO and employment law, as well as providing a template and instructions to concerned parties to issue a Subject Access Request to Integritas and BrewDog to ensure they are fully informed to be able to exercise their rights. Each individual will choose their own path forward as it relates to this, but we want to confirm we have provided this support.
I think I speak for all when I say how disappointing it is to be at this point. I hope for all Mr Watt immediately stops abusing his platform/s to assert these misrepresentations of certain individuals or at least respond on one of the many channels he has been asked to clarify elements of his claims - and rather, puts his vast resources towards meeting the request of the BrewDog Affected Workers platform and Punks With Purpose to find an amicable and just resolution.
Where appropriate we will provide public updates as we progress. We remain open to genuine, private mediation of these issues on behalf of any parties mentioned.
Kate Bailey