Todd, who has been involved in drafting amendments to the legislation currently going through the Lords, said exaggeration the problems would lead ministers to "close their ears" to legitimate criticism of the reforms.

Have these "ears" ever been open?

I must question this person's motivation and their mandate to speak on behalf of anyone except themselves.

I think we should be prepared to work with anyone who shares our concern about the Bill. However, I think anyone, like Todd, who make the sort of unspecified claims and criticisms of fellow campaigners, and allows this to be splashed over front page of the Stage, should be viewed with more than a little caution.

We will never all agree on everything but these differences and wild claims should not, at this time be aired publicly in the media.

There is a danger that this seminar will be turned into an PR appeasment exercise for the DCMS and a stunt for the purposes of NCA. This is why it is important that those who can attend make a point of ringing up and stating their intention of doing so. This will at least reflect the concerns of those not involved in the rarefied air of the higher 'arts'.