Foster, Silent Reporter, Freed

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30125, 8 May 1963, Page 15

Foster, Silent Reporter, Freed

(N .Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) LONDON, May 7. Reginald Foster, one of two London journalists gaoled for refusing to disclose sources of his information to the Radcliffe tribunal, was released from prison early today.

About 40 journalists and photographers greeted Mr Foster when he left Ford Open Prison early this morning. Asked if he felt bitter. Mr Foster replied: “No, I am not that sort of person. 1 don't feel bitter. It was just one of those things. “I did a job. It could have been done by anyone here lam not a personality lam just one man.

"1 know from toe support of journalists throughout the country that anyone would have done toe same thing,” Mr Foster said. Leaving toe “Daily Mail” reporter, Brendan Mullholland. behind Mullholland was sentenced to six months. Mr Foster to three—was “not very nice,” he said “I am sending the Home Secretary a telegram expressing my views on that. I feel very strongly about Brendan. He is a much younger man than I am and it is not very nice that he is still inside,” he said. Shaking Mr Foster by the hand, the assistant general secretary of toe National Union of Journalists, Mr T. D. Lucy, said to him: "Greetings from journalists all over the world. We are proud of the stand you have taken. Reg” Mr Foster replied that he was still receiving telegrams to that effect from journalists everywhere Reporting by some London newspapers on certain aspects of the Vassal! spy case was condemned today by the Press Council, the unofficial watchdog of the British press. The council said: "The press has the right and indeed the duty to investigate and comment on matters concerning national security but the council condemns the publication in some London newspapers of false information and damaging inuendos based on nothing more than conjecture, assumption, and speculation.”