Free Speech, SARs and a closing Zoo

A Bristol campaigner has received compensation from the council-owned Bristol Beacon venue after it abruptly cancelled his public meeting, a decision internal emails suggest followed a private intervention from the Bristol Zoo chief executive.

Tom Jones, of the Save Bristol Zoo campaign, booked the Beacon to launch an "alternative vision" to the zoo's planned closure and redevelopment. After he spent thousands of pounds publicising the event to 35,000 homes, the booking was cancelled just seven days prior, hours after Bristol Zoo chief Justin Morris emailed Beacon chief Simon Wales to raise concerns about the campaign and an online petition.

The Beacon initially told Mr Jones the cancellation was due to a breach of the hire agreement, citing clauses related to public safety and reputational risk. However, Mr Jones claims this explanation does not stand up to scrutiny, especially given the diverse range of events the venue usually hosts.

The cancellation, which Mr Jones believes was an attempt to suppress legitimate debate and free speech about a matter of significant public interest, caused him financial loss and considerable stress. He only received a refund after the scheduled event date, forcing him to cancel the launch entirely as there was no time to find an alternative venue or notify the public.

Mr Jones refused a subsequent offer of compensation from the Beacon because it was conditional on his signing a non-disclosure agreement and withdrawing a Subject Access Request, which he argued would have prevented him from publicly explaining the cancellation. He claimed the NDA was an attempt to silence him and mask the clear suppression of free speech by senior figures at two significant Bristol institutions. The campaign continues, but Mr Jones maintains the episode has damaged his personal reputation and his faith in the Beacon's leadership.

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