Deaf News: Judicial review campaign to be launched on Monday over #WhereIsTheInterpreter

Deaf activists involved #WhereIsTheInterpreter are to set up “an alternative Judicial Review campaign” next week, after it’s confirmed that Cabinet Office lawyers have opened up a dialogue on the issue.

Lynn Stewart-Taylor, who first launched the campaign over the lack of a BSL interpreter at the Government’s coronavirus briefings, will take part in a Facebook livestream on Monday updating viewers on the next steps.

“The reason why I am setting up this livestream session is because I believe it’s very important that everyone is involved. It’s not my campaign it is ours.

“Your opinion and experiences are a vital part of this campaign and what’s best for us all in the future,” Lynn said.

She concluded by saying that she hopes the session will give “a clear picture” around what’s happening with the campaign, including “the next step forward”.

In a statement, Chris Fry, of Fry Law, told The Limping Chicken: “We have now heard from lawyers instructed by the Cabinet Office and we have opened dialogue.

“Separately we are expecting to be launching an alternative Judicial Review campaign on Monday.”

The news also comes as The Limping Chicken filed two complaints to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) about the Cabinet Office and Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.

Freedom of Information requests were sent to both Government departments in May, with the teams failing to respond within the 20 working day deadline, which passed earlier this week.

The ICO is now considering the two complaints.

The livestream will take place on the official Facebook page for ‘Where Is The Interpreter’, starting at 7pm (BST) on Monday.

By Liam O’Dell. Liam is a mildly deaf freelance journalist and blogger from Bedfordshire. He wears bilateral hearing aids and can be found talking about disability, theatre, politics and more on Twitter and on his website.