Beverley Minster virger backs web publisher
A CHURCH official at Beverley Minster has backed a town web publisher who has been linked with thousands of pornographic sites.
It comes after the Mail revealed Paul Smith, who launched Beverley community website HU17.net, also helped design graphic adult sites.
Beverley Minster virger Neil Pickford is among those who have moved to support Mr Smith, saying he has "no problems" with the web publisher and his activities.
Launched last year, HU17.net has photographs of junior sports fixtures as well as news events.
It includes images taken by Paul Smith.
A Mail investigation found Mr Smith is the director of Smiths Media Solutions, which designs adult sites. There is no suggestion they contain illegal material.
The web design business was formed in 2004 and is registered to the same address in Beverley as the respectable HU17.net.
Mr Smith does not identify himself as being linked to Smiths Media Solutions in the same way as he promotes himself as being involved with HU17.net
When an undercover Mail reporter, posing as an escort girl, approached him to design a website, he agreed to do it for between £150 and £250.
Following the news, there were hundreds of comments on the Mail's website and HU17.net
One of those commenting was the Minster virger – a church official who acts as a caretaker and attendant.
Mr Pickford told the Mail: "HU17.net is very worthwhile and we've found Paul to be an extremely enthusiastic promoter of life and events in Beverley.
"We are happy to continue supplying information to the website in the future."
Mr Pickford, who has a column on the Mail's Beverleylocal website, said: "Providing Paul's activities are legal, then I have no problems with him at all."
In a recent East Riding Council press release, community groups in the town were urged to send event details to Mr Smith for inclusion on his HU17.net website.
East Riding Council leader Councillor Stephen Parnaby said: "What the Mail has unearthed is clearly unacceptable. I want to know how we became involved with this website. I aim to find out what we knew and what we did not know about this man."
Mr Smith advised Beverley and Holderness MP Graham Stuart over technical aspects of his website. Although the Mail tried to contact Mr Stuart prior to our story, we were unsuccessful.
However, Mr Stuart said: "I think it's absolutely disgraceful and appalling to run a story like that mentioning me in the second paragraph without getting in touch with me. It is a sleazy unpleasant story that attacks a bloke running a Beverley website."
Until this week, Mr Smith was also a member of the Beverley Economy and Tourism Group – a sub group of the Beverley Renaissance Partnership – which promotes the town to visitors.
The Mail contacted Mr Smith last night to ask him what he thought about the public reaction to our story, but he did not want to comment.
167 Comments
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by sally, Hedon
Saturday, March 06 2010, 12:40PM
“perhaps we should move this discussion off this website and on to the press gazette website - that way it will be getting national coverage in the industry magazine. just google press gazette then scroll down to the story dated March 5 and place your comments there”
by Dee, Hull
Saturday, March 06 2010, 11:34AM
“On the home page HDM has a facility to see 'Most Viewed' and 'Most Commented Upon', considering the original story had over 360 comments, how come it doesn't get mentioned?? HDM attempting to HOODWINK their own readers, and anyone else interested in reading the rest of the support Mr Smith's had on this? And I understand you can no longer leave comments on it.. Joke of a paper, joke of a story. Can't believe they were stupid enough to have links to hardcore adult sites from the original story. Hope the PCC get them good & proper.”
by Charles, cott
Saturday, March 06 2010, 11:29AM
“Scott J, His den of salubrious filth
Since you did not bother to read what I wrote, it is not surprising that your comment was so long winded and irrelevant.”
by Sally, Hedon
Saturday, March 06 2010, 11:21AM
“The Mail has repeated the allegations AGAIN today but has disabled the comments facility. There is something strange going on here. Either the Mail is showing breathtaking arrogance and lack of judgement OR they have something which links Mr Smith to criminal activity. It is now time for the Mail to come clean and admit what evidence they have or the positions of the journalist and editor have become untenable. It's time to talk or walk Mr Meehan and Mr Young”
by Sally, Hedon
Saturday, March 06 2010, 11:16AM
“The Mail has repeated the allegations AGAIN today but has disabled the comments facility. There is something strange going on here. Either the Mail is showing breathtaking arrogance and lack of judgement OR they have something which links Mr Smith to criminal activity. It is now time for the Mail to come clean and admit what evidence they have or the positions of the journalist and editor have become untenable. It's time to talk or walk Mr Meehan and Mr Young”
by Rainey, Beside the Sea
Saturday, March 06 2010, 11:12AM
“New story today! - Beverley partnership don't check members!
How long will The Hull Daily Mail carry this on? Same old diatribe!
Except you can't leave comments on this story today - I wonder why? How sad of them!
We can't have freedom of speech but they can offer the same old drivel!”
by Justice seeker, Breaching the Hull Daily Mail
Saturday, March 06 2010, 11:11AM
“Check the anti-Hull Daily Mail Facebook group out for when/if the HDM-exposed blog goes live.
We have some interesting revelations that HDM folk wouldn't like to be publicised.”
by HDM hater, HDM makes money in seedy ways
Saturday, March 06 2010, 11:10AM
“You see this paper is organising a beautiful baby competition, with photos of babies and toddlers.
Then turn to the classifieds and you see blatant adverts for specialist 'services'.
HDM prints baby pics alongside 'massage parlour' ads.
HDM makes money from prostitution. FACT.”
by The nonce innuendo should be aimed at HDM, Hull Load Of Trouble
Saturday, March 06 2010, 11:08AM
“You see this paper is organising a beautiful baby competition, with photos of babies and toddlers.
Then turn to the classifieds and you see blatant adverts for Escort Services and Personal Services.
HDM prints baby pics alongside 'massage parlour' ads.
HDM makes money from prostitution. FACT.”
by your time, is up
Saturday, March 06 2010, 11:07AM
“The Daily Fail has repeated the allegations again today but has disabled the comments facility on all stories. What are they so scared of? Open debate? Comments continue on the press gazette website”