Neil Wilby Media

Two recent, neutrally written articles published here on this Neil Wilby Media website on 27th June and 5th July, 2023, (read here and here) certainly caused a stir:

Vile abuse and physical threats from the two Directors of the company highlighted in those assiduously researched pieces of investigative journalism, and a report to the police by them, in nebulous terms, for alleged ‘stalking and harassment’ has been amongst a very mixed response.

Public interest journalism plays a crucial role in a democratic society, holding prominent individuals and power to account, informing the public, and promoting transparency. While the specific elements may vary, depending on the context and subject matter, here are some essentials often associated with this class of journalism:

1. Investigative Reporting: Public interest journalism often involves in-depth investigations that uncover hidden truths, expose wrongdoing, or reveal information that is in the public’s interest to know. It goes beyond the surface level of news and delves into complex issues to provide a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter.

2. Accountability: Public interest journalism aims to hold prominent individuals (particularly those whom assiduously court publicity), companies, organisations and institutions accountable for their actions. It scrutinises the activities of those in power, challenges abuses of power, and seeks to ensure transparency and fairness in public affairs.

3. Truth and Accuracy: Public interest journalism prioritises factual accuracy and truthfulness. It relies on thorough research, fact-checking, and multiple sources of verification to ensure the information presented is reliable and trustworthy.

4. Serving the Public: The primary focus of public interest journalism is to serve the public by providing information that is of significant public importance or interest. It addresses issues that affect society, uncovers hidden agendas, and provides a platform for marginalised voices and underrepresented communities.

Weighed in the balance against those tenets is the requirement of journalists to conduct themselves ethically, professionally and within the law. The Editors’ Code says that journalists must not continue to question, contact, or photograph people once they have been asked to stop. If a subject of an investigation requests that a journalist cease intrusive activities such as repeatedly door-knocking, telephoning or emailing, the Code requires them to do so unless there is specific and adequate public interest to justify a decision to carry on.

In this particular investigation, because of the highly questionable reputation of the controlling Director of Danoli Solutions Ltd (“Danoli”), who is known locally, regionally and even nationally, as ‘The Ormskirk Vigilante‘ – particularly a history of on-line reprisals and mounting what appear to be malicious vendettas against even the mildest of critics –  no direct contact has been made at all with them.

Indeed, the only contact with Danoli has been the abusive emails and social media messages, to and about Neil Wilby, from those purporting to represent that company.

The computer repair firm came to the attention of Neil Wilby Media earlier this year as a result of the reprehensible on-line activities of its owners and the fact that a number of ‘trolling’ websites are registered at Danoli’s business address (read more here).

That scrutiny intensified as a number of issues emerged during routine journalistic enquiries:

– Dormant social media accounts, in complete contrast to the relentless internet trolling elsewhere and, notably, on the UK Corrupt Police accounts run by the Danoli owner.

– Assertions on the Danoli website that were patently untrue.

– Particularly, that they employed six engineers. Readily disproved by official documents.

– An exaggeration of the scale and reach of their business portfolio, again readily disproved.

– A bizarre diversion into repairing curling tongs and wands.

– Annual accounts not filed at Companies House in accordance with the law (see here).

– A self-admitted financial crisis engulfing the company.

The finances of Danoli Solutions Ltd are also under intense scrutiny by those parties currently litigating against the controlling Director in the civil courts, in attempts to restrain him and seek remedy over alleged defamation, harassment and malicious falsehoods, and seriously concerned over his ability to meet any court orders over adverse costs and damages that may be awarded against him.

Quite separate to the disgraceful abuse and threats from its Directors, those two previous Danoli articles produced an interesting mailbox as locals put forward their views, and versions, of the business and its owners. Mostly hearsay, but one item stood out: An allegation that Danoli’s website claim to be a Microsoft Partner was false and one that appeared to have been readily disproved. The contributor even provided an image which has seen been checked as a fair representation.

Another said that company law was broken by not displaying the full name of the company anywhere on the exterior of their premises in New Court Way, Ormskirk, which is the Danoli registered office. That would have been correct some years ago, but, provided the company name is displayed, appropriately, inside the premises as the registered office, that is now acceptable to Companies House.

Several others said there was little to no activity at their premises these days which ran counter to the ‘successful and thriving’ business claims on the Danoli website.

There may be a plausible explanation, of course, and the absence from Microsoft’s list may be temporary, the interior of their premises may be Companies House compliant and the Danoli employees may be deployed remotely, but it is pointless asking the Directors for a sensible response and risking more lies and a further torrent of abuse.

The Microsoft issue is, very obviously, matter of significant public concern and has, accordingly, been referred to Lancashire Trading Standards and the Advertising Standards Authority to investigate, if they consider it is appropriate and proportionate to do so.

The Microsoft UK press office has also been approached for clarification and comment.

At the time this article was last updated (23rd July, 2023) the missing annual accounts had still not been filed at Companies House and no explanation provided by Danoli Solutions Ltd for the defect. The fine already imposed on the Directors by the regulator already stands at £375 and will rise soon to £1,500.

Paul Ponting was offered right of reply at this weblink but did not respond, preferring to sustain his vile, obsessive campaign of abuse against Neil Wilby on his various social media platforms, and fake identities, rather than addressing the core issues.

UPDATE: A compulsory strike-off warning was filed by the Registrar of Companies on 27th July, 2023. Read full story here.

Follow Neil Wilby on Twitter (here) and Neil Wilby Media on Facebook (here) for signposts to any updates.

Page last updated: Sunday 30th July, 2023 at 08h15

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Picture credit: Teesside Live

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