A letter from Rosenblatt, representing the Conservative Party, to Tortoise – 31 August 2022

31 August 2022

James Harding
Tortoise Media
22 Berners Street
W1T 3LP

31 August 2022

Dear Mr Harding,

We are instructed by the Conservative and Unionist Party (the “Party”) in relation to your threatened claim for judicial review. Please direct future correspondence in this matter to us marked with our reference which appears above.

We refer to your letter dated 30 August 2022 which was said to be written pursuant to the Pre-Action Protocol for Judicial Review (the “Protocol”) and demanded a response by the end of the following day despite your being aware that the ordinary period for a response under the Protocol is 14 days.

You appear to say that the proximity of the end of the Party’s leadership competition is the reason why the usual period for response under the Protocol should be disapplied. However, the fact that you have waited until the final week or the final stage of the said competition to commence correspondence under the Protocol would seem to indicate that you did not see this matter as urgent until shortly before your letter was published on your website.

In short, we see no reason for any urgency in our client’s response and, further, our client is entitled to have the opportunity to take advice and fully consider the matter before replying to your 13-page letter.

Our client will provide its substantive response to your letter in due course which, pursuant to the terms of the Protocol, we calculate to be by or before Tuesday 13 September 2022.

We hope to be in touch again shortly.

Yours faithfully,

Rosenblatt