Why did a Tyneside council sue Twitter when WordPress & Google had already coughed?

Was the revelation that Twitter revealed the details of an anonymous blogger following a court order really a landmark ruling and who really won?

The California court case costing a Tyneside council an estimated £70,000 was uncontested so Twitter handed over the user’s details… but it is reported that both Google and WordPress had done that a year earlier so really what was the point?  Someone trying to hit the headlines by conquering all of the social media platforms or a genuine attempt to stop someone libelling on-line?

Ahmed Khan was a South Shields councillor whilst writing under the guise of The Monkey where he aired his views on the actions of those around him in a wordpress blog that resembled Private Eye meets The New Statesman criticising those in power and their actions to get there there.

However… the Twitter hearing in California was not a first as many believed, as both Google and WordPress apparently released the data a year ago.. without publicly notifying anyone or giving a right to reply…. At least Twitter had the decency to offer a platform for defence… which was not taken up… and are one of the most vocal and publicly protective of their users.

It also begs the question why a cash-strapped council decided to use tax payers money to purse information for individuals when they are unable to sue anyone as a council…. I wonder whether their constituents would prefer better facilities and health care… and what on earth do they hope to achieve?

Khan apparently chose not to defend himself as he did not have the money and had no idea about California law… so what would a libel action, that would need to be funded by someone, against him achieve and just who would foot the bill and more importantly how would they benefit..?

Twitter’s own Terms of Service clearly state they will not release a user’s details but whether this will stand up in court is another matter… they also have a Guidelines for Enforcement section stating what they will do, which they appeared to follow to the letter.  Apparently Google receive over 1400 requests for information a year but have not released data on what they actually do reveal, although they do have a policy on the site as does WordPress.

In the meantime South Shields council, facing £35 million pounds of cuts this year, appears to have both money and manpower to pursue someone who dared to say what is normal conversation in any pub or club just to a wider audience… to what end…?

The local paper The Northern Echo today reported the response of the council…

A spokesman said: “This legal action was initiated by the council’s previous chief executive and has continued with the full support of the council’s current chief executive.

“The council has a duty of care to protect its employees and as this blog contains damaging claims about council officers, legal action is being taken to identify those responsible.”

In the same paper a Leisure Centre closure is reported.  Other local news sources state £500k has been cut from the council’s floral displays, grassed areas and bowling greens… and only last month they authorised the use of plastic flowers to save money…  At a meeting agreeing cuts… Coun Jim Perry, the council’s lead member for environment and transport, called for a more “truthful and realistic” approach to the standard of service the public can expect.

He said: “Because of the budget situation we find ourselves in, members were given a car analogy that agreed we need to stop thinking of a Rolls Royce service, but more of a Ford Focus one that is reliable and well maintained.”

I don’t know many Ford Focus drivers who would have the means or the inclination to sue someone….

“Given the grass roots approach to budgeting for the goods and services to locals why is a council using law courts, typically the playground of the rich and famous, to fight for a phyrrhic victory… “

No need to sue WordPress for my name it is Amanda Hill or amanda_hill on twitter should you so desire…

Sources:  TNW, TNW, Shields Gazette, Northern Echo, Guardian, Mr Monkey’s Blog,

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