Paul McCartney Chooses Viva!'s Juliet Gellatley for Exclusive Interview

8 August 1998

With the world's media pounding on his door demanding to know what's next, Paul McCartney has confounded them all by choosing 34-year-old animal rights campaigner Juliet Gellatley for his first interview since Linda's death. Director of the Brighton based vegetarian charity Viva!, Juliet Gellatley says she is 'delighted and honoured' to have been chosen to carry Paul's message across the world. And it's a simple message - the fight goes on! To be published next week in the supporters' magazine Viva!Life, an advance report of the interview appears in the August 8 Daily Express.

Why Juliet Gellatley? "I've been campaigning on the vegetarian issues for more than a decade and telling it like it is. Modern farming involves the brutal abuse of billions of animals and the direct result is a series of human and environmental catastrophes. Paul is obviously extremely concerned by this inexcusable cruelty", she explains. "The fact that he has chose to speak to me and Viva! when there are softer options open to him shows, I believe, the depth of his commitment. It is a form of nailing his colours to the mast."

In his interview Paul says: "Linda became the spokesperson largely because she had the time available. I'd be off making music somewhere but in fact she was speaking for both of us, for all our family. I really worry that good animal activists around the world might think that we've lost a powerful voice. Well, we have but my voice is there now and I intend to use it."

Only three-and-a-half years old, Viva! was founded by Juliet Gellatley in order to energetically campaign for animals, the environment and developing world. The latest of its high-profile consumer campaigns was against 'exotic meats' - kangaroo, ostrich buffalo and crocodile - which lead to Tesco, Somerfield and cash and carry giants Booker withdrawing from the trade. Just two weeks ago, an international day of action against Sainsbury's involvement in kangaroo killing saw Viva! demonstrations outside 140 of the company's stores nationwide. Supporting action took place across Australia. The result was a public relations disaster for Sainsbury's.

Juliet concludes by saying: "I am delighted that Paul McCartney has taken the decision to keep alight the beacon ignited by Linda. We will use this opportunity to raise many more voices in protest. The animals need all the help they can get."

Juliet Gellatley is available for interview. Contact her or Tony Wardle on 0117 944 1000.