Further to my article on public audits, this publication highlights one of those companies I mentioned. Those whose representatives behave in a truly sickening manner. The behaviour of two of the individuals being the subject of this publication, in my opinion, is extremely disturbing. I can truthfully say in my more than 50 years of photography, I have never experienced abuse and criminal behaviour on this scale. Should any of my readers wish to view this encounter, a link to the video on YouTube is listed at the bottom of this article.
Since deciding to encompass articles accentuating breaches of environmental policy and stories of public interest, my research has concentrated quite extensively on social media. One topic in particular I have found interesting, is that of public audits. I am, and always will be an advocate of photographers rights. In researching this type of content, I was quickly drawn to three creators whose work I admired, PJ Audits, DJ Audits and Pure Audits. These individuals were also promoting the rights of photographers / videographers.
However, recently I was sent a communication by one of my readers. He asked me to view a video on YouTube, that he was both disgusted and disturbed by. Furthermore, he asked me would I be interested in writing an article on the content. I did in fact view the video, the content owner was actually one of my recommendations to you guys, in the public audits article, Pure Audits (PA). In the same manner my reader was disturbed, I was also appalled by the behaviour of two representatives of an organisation called Exmoor Pharma.
PA visited an industrial estate in the Patchway area of Bristol. From my understanding, he had already audited a number of other businesses in the area. Exmoor Pharma are located at the end of the industrial estate, which is accessed by a public highway. Whilst he stood on the public footpath, he engaged in an audit of this company. He tries to contact the reception, to inform them of his intention, in order to be as transparent as possible.
Whilst waiting for someone to answer the intercom, he is met by what I assume is the company’s legal representative. This person instantly informs PA, unless he has an appointment with an Exmoor Pharma member of staff. he won’t be shooting any video from the public footpath. Furthermore, this person appears to be an expert in aviation law. I am not sure where this person obtained his law degree, but in his shoes I would be asking for a refund.
Finally Mr Gavin Sutton, Mr David Vincent another member of staff who claimed to be the site director and the legal guy, come to have a conversation with PA. Mr Gavin Sutton states that he is the owner of Exmoor Pharma, who takes the lead and informs PA that he cannot video, or fly his drone over the Site. It would therefore appear that Exmoor Pharma have two experts in aviation law. However my confusion is, how can someone as well versed in the law as Mr Sutton require the assistance of the police. Especially as he does not understand the difference between civil and criminal law.
PA, in an attempt to de-escalate the situation, moves away from Exmoor Parma’s premises. However, from here on in is where Mr Sutton and Mr Vincent cross the line, from one of arrogant intimidation to committing in what I counted as 7 criminal offences, including assault and harassment. Some may argue, PA should have left site completely. However, with the behaviour that was displayed, I believe they would not have let him. Furthermore never allow your rights to be trodden on by anyone.
I have contacted PA, explaining I will be writing an article on his encounter with Exmoor Pharma, whilst advising him of the legal rights. However, I believe he does not wish to pursue the matter. In addition to the abuse and assault of PA, this poor excuse for a human being, even had the audacity to inform PA that the police had been called and were attending.
After viewing PA’s video, I did in fact decide to write this article. Additionally, I will be offering my article to other prominent media sources, for their consideration of publication. I cannot believe that for one minute, anyone viewing this situation would not be outraged.
In order to present as fair and balanced a view as possible, I wrote to the CEO of Exmoor Pharma, who strangely enough was not Mr Sutton. I asked for any comments they may wish to forward for consideration. I gave Exmoor Pharma every opportunity to reply, asking if they believed there were circumstances of mitigation, did the company have any comments regarding the behaviour of the two employees and did the company as a whole condemn the behaviour of Mr Gavin Sutton the operations director and Mr David Vincent the head of process development.
To date I have not received a reply. To say I am not surprised is an understatement. However I am disappointed, that nothing was said about the behaviour of Mr Sutton or Mr Vincent being an isolated incident and this did not represent the company’s views as a whole. I am not going to say anything about their silence, I will leave that to you guys to draw your own conclusions.
So in conclusion, in my opinion both Mr Sutton and Mr Vincent showed themselves to be extremely arrogant, violent and self entitled individuals. Personally, I would not have been anywhere near as tolerant as PA, and he is to be commended for displaying the restraint he did.
Additionally although professing to have an in depth knowledge of aviation law it is apparent they have no knowledge of U.K. law. I can only conclude from the research I have conducted, that they both believe the law does not apply to them. Sincerely, my one wish is that some of their customers mange to view this article, or more importantly PA’s video. As a former company director, I have very little respect for individuals, who have so little regard for another human being and our wonderful legal system. Let’s hope their customers feel the same way.
Here is the link to PA’s video on YouTube ExmoorPharma
-Gianni