I don't think they ever needed to take legal action - it was a hugely counter-productive move in the first place. It was always going to put off businesses who _did_ contribute too and generally harm any sort of chance for relationships, if people felt there was some compulsion. Just raising the issue publicly was enough to have Splash try to distance themselves from it as much as possible.
I had talked to several shopkeepers about this "naming and shaming". Asking if they knew about this. And telling them there was thread here and also LJs article on Brixton Blog.
One of them , the next time I talked to him, had already looked up the article and asked other shopkeepers he knew about it. One of whom had been approached by LJ.
Word was getting around the shopkeepers in Brixton and it seems to me that none of them opposed Splash what they all opposed was "naming and shaming".
As Urbanspaceman pointed out LJ ,whilst using the internet himself, underestimated its power to disseminate information and give people a safe place to challenge the powerful.
And make no mistake LJ has in the past wielded a lot of power. I agree with Kid Eternity this is not the last of LJ in Brixton.
I was surprised at his resignation. I think as more shopkeepers got to know about this through people here asking them about it and some who have small business posting up here his position became untenable.
Whether the Board knew about the "naming and shaming" is another issue. As LJ put it up on his blog and his Twitter I cannot see how the rest of the board could not have known what he was doing.
I have looked over the main thread started by LJ this morning and I see nothing wrong with it. It has a mixture of posters. A full and frank discussion. I dont see how LJ can complain. He is a seasoned political operator used to discussion. I got the impression he is more used to debates at public meetings than internet discussions.
I also think he underestimated the quality of the posters that are found on Urban. Looking at the thread there were some very good thought out posts.
He still might:
"I find some of the silly accusations and personal comments of minority contributors, stereotypical and loaded with assumptions. If the entire threads are read that becomes apparent. I felt that one in particular on the U75 was indeed informed by a crude racial stereotype.
We have captured these comments so the local community can judge for themselves their tone and tenor . I think most people will be shocked. A significant section of the local community who form part of our core constituency are not on line so a public debate is an important aspect of further discussion."
from comment after this piece on BB
http://www.brixtonblog.com/comment-...ure-they-are-not-simply-absent-landlords/5790
