The McCanns: Should Nick Carter be censured for impersonating a journalist?

Nick Carter is the B grade number cruncher for a failing regional newspaper called the Leicester Mercury - a newspaper that has been plagued by falling circulation, financial problems, editorial staff cuts and union disputes.

It is in his interests to fall into line with the rest of the British media and protect and isolate the Leicestershire based McCanns from any criticism. He does so at the expense of truth, integrity, professionalism and free speech.

Like so many of those involved with Team McCann, those fine concepts have been replaced by at the very least, misleading information and sweeping statements devoid of any valid or concrete evidence to back up such claims.

Nick, if you are going to make generalisations and use labels, be prepared to back them up with valid evidence, otherwise they mean bugger all. Either put up or shut up.

"A tiny minority of people seem to want to say nasty, spiteful and defamatory things about the McCann family.They are bombarding our site, and we had no choice but to block comment entirely on reports about the family."

Oh please.

In other words, you - an alleged journalist - has allowed what you describe as a "tiny minority" to dictate editorial policy? My God, not exactly Citizen Kane are you?

You had no choice but to block comment? Of course you had a bloody choice. You yourself used the phrase "tiny minority" indicating a small number of people - especially when you consider you are hardly in the top ten of most visited websites. For your site to be "bombarded" that implies that a small number of people must have sent multiple abusive messages.

So block the senders via their IP address. No need to close down the whole kit-and-caboodle.

In years gone by, I hosted an online drop-in-cafe type forum. If anyone caused trouble, I simply took a few seconds of my time to block the posters via their IP. I even used a free service to do so. I am sure your newspaper could splash out a few bob on more elaborate security systems -$30-40 perhaps.

Of course, if you did that then you, The Leicester Mercury and the Grubs themselves, would not get such McCann-Friendly publicity in the mainstream media. No "shock, horror" headlines to incite the masses to cry "Disgusting innit, shouldn't be allowed".

Except of course the majority of people do not actually say that about the McCanns, for the majority do not support their irresponsible views on child welfare. Nor are they taken in by their continuous stream of lies.

Take a look at this blog Nick. Read the responses which are now well into four figures. Do you see any of the behaviour you have described?

This blog is not moderated, and although I have deleted a few posts, the overwhelming majority are well behaved and eloquent. They do not need me to keep them in line like naughty schoolchildren - posters automatically know how to behave - which is more the McCann supporters can claim.

If you want a real story, take a look at other forums. The threats, intimidation and abuse heaped upon those who only seek truth in this matter. Take a look at the Evening Standard and other message boards where McCann supporters have resorted to using my name in an attempt to discredit me - even if their IP address does show they posted from Watford Gap Service Station, and their email names indicate they have no balls - mind you, that can be said for the whole of Team McCann.

Do you consider such behaviour ethical? If not, then speak out against it in the interests of fair-minded journalism. Either that or face online censure for the offence of impersonating a journalist.

In light of your actions, I will be contacting your advertisers asking them to reconsider their accounts with the Leicester Mercury, pointing out that they are supporting a publication whose editor has gone out of his way to protect parents whose repeated premeditated abandonment of parental responsibility, led to tragedy involving a little girl less than three-foot tall.

The email will list the actions of Team McCann in factual, provable point form, as well as detail your assault on free speech. I am also quite prepared to contact potential advertisers within your circulation area.

No, it wont be a campaign, I will make sure everyone on Team H knows that only I am to take such action. Unlike the McCann supporters, we do not believe in hunting in packs or mass intimidation. I may want to make your advertisers aware of the true situation, but I sure as heck do not want the poor buggers inundated with emails.

Granted, your advertisers may be unwilling to lose exposure in your newspaper. However, I am willing to arrange free alternatives - even in the form of "advertorials" similar to one I published for a local wine producer - an advertorial that proved successful even though at that time the blog had only been in circulation two months - and had nowhere near the level of UK exposure and support it has now.

Any guesses why it has such exposure and support Nick? Phone a friend to help with the answer if you can not see the obvious answer.