Nudists concerned at 'dirty tactics'
Nudists have accused a defence giant of using 'dirty tactics' to stop them baring all on a beach.
Eastney Naturist Group have hit out at Qinetiq after the company wrote to council leaders saying it had concerns about 'sexual activities' on the beach in front of the Fraser range.
The company says staff working at the site, off Fort Cumberland Road, Portsmouth, have found discarded condoms and a Viagra packet.
But the nudist group says Qinetiq is 'mud-slinging' to damage the group's reputation in an ongoing battle over access to the beach.
Campaigner Mike Houlsby said: 'It is appalling that such a big firm would reduce themselves to using dirty tactics.'
The allegations formed part of a letter to Portsmouth City Council leaders offering a deal over a stretch of land near the beach.
As previously reported in The News, the firm needs permission from the city council to widen the land to build an access road leading to a proposed development of 131 homes.
But naturists fear Qinetiq will stop them using the beach if the development goes ahead to keep homeowners happy. Qinetiq has the right to fence off the beach down to the shoreline.
Council leaders have consistently refused permission amid fears the company would not allow the public long-term access to the beach – despite reassurances by Qinetiq that it would.
Now Qinetiq is taking the council to court in an attempt to get the decision overruled.
In the letter Stephen Sheridan, commercial director of shared services at Qinetiq, said: 'The biggest danger to the naturists' practice comes from individuals or groups whose actions may spoil others enjoyment of the beach and cause offence.
'We urge the naturists to work with us.'
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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