AT LEAST 10 leading local members of the East Grinstead-based Church of Scientology have resigned from the sect over policy differences, it was disclosed this week. It is understood that the resignations follow disquiet over the reintroduction of "disconnection" practices whereby church members are advised to completely sever relations with fellow members. These policies were abandoned for a time in 1968. It is alleged that these disconnection policies are now beck in force since a new policy dated September 10, 1983. ...

In a newish sort of castle in Sussex a suite of rooms, with private bar, an electric organ, and an elegant writing desk complete with pens and an unopened pack of his favorite cigarettes, await one of the world's most prolific and richest authors. Yet the rooms, cleaned regularly, remain unused; the chair behind the desk has not been sat upon for over fifteen years, though the man for whom all this is carefully — even lovingly maintained — has sold ...

THE ANNOUNCEMENT that the Scientologists have kicked out 12 key members of their UK headquarters staff at Saint Hill Manor, East Grinstead, as part of a policy change, has received a mixed reception in the town. East Grinstead's mayor Cr Ray Boulger said that if the Scientologists were genuinely trying to purge themselves, then it was in everyone's interests to try to promote better relations. But the Rev Roger Brown, vicar of St Swithun's parish church, East Grinstead, said the history ...

DAVID BERESFORD investigates the activities of Scientology's secret intelligence unit whose director is based in Britain IT WAS a familiar beginning to an American public scandal: soon after 7 pm on the night of June 11, 1976, two burglars were caught in the US Court House in Washington DC. In the Watergate tradition frantic attempts were made to localise responsibility. But the cover-up finally cracked and disclosures followed which were to lead, not to the top of the Republican Party, but ...

LONDON (AP)—The Church of Scientology lost a London court battle Friday to prevent two of its members from being extradited to the United States on charges of counseling and procuring burglary of American government offices. But the church immediately announced an appeal to the Divisional Court in London and said that if necessary it would pursue the appeal through the House of Lords and the European Court, which has jurisdiction because of Britain's membership in the European Economic Community. Magistrate William ...

The Church of Scientology contends that for more than 20 years it has been the target of a systematic campaign by the United States government, together with "vested-interest pressure groups" such as the medical professions, to "suppress the church's spiritual practice and expansion." The church advances this accusation as the fundamental rationale for its aggressive policies of defense-by-attack against individual critics, private groups and government agencies perceived as "harassing" Scientology. Church spokesmen, moreover, expand upon the allegation of systematic persecution to ...

On May 14, 1951, Lafayette Ronald Hubbard wrote to the U.S. attorney general to plead for help in fending off a Communist conspiracy, dedicated, he averred, to destroying him. "When, when, when," he wrote, "will we have a roundup?" Rambling through seven single-spaced typewritten pages, the letter was, to all appearances, the heartfelt cry of a troubled man. A successful science fiction writer in the 1940s, L. Ron Hubbard, as he signed himself, had gone on to bigger things. ...

Gerry Hazelwood, a 37-year old managing director of a United Kingdom norticultural machinery firm, Westwood Engineering Limited, helps his firm grow by encouraging workers to assume more responsibility. Hazelwood frequently stops at a work station to chat or joke, and calls all of the 60 employees in the 3,000 square meter plant by their first names. For those who do not respond well to Hazelwood's challenge to take on more responsibility, the departure rate is high. Those who comprise the 'hardcore' ...

L. Ron Hubbard has paid the missing renewal fee on his British Patent 943012 for the Scientology E-meter but abandoned his attempt at prolonging its natural sixteen year life (New Scientist, vol 68, p 585). The necessary legal petition has not been presented to the court. The Patent Office, who in prolongation cases briefs counsel to protect the public interest, has now heard from the Treasury Solicitors Department acting on its behalf that no petition will be presented. The action ...

Lafayette Ron Hubbard of the Church of Scientology is seeking to extend the life of the British patent for his E-meter. The patent (943 012) will come to the end of its natural 16 year life on 27 July, 1976, when anyone will be able to make and sell the meter. Obviously this strikes terror in the heart of the Church of Scientology, and it has given notice of intention to present a prolongation petition to the High Court of Justice. ...

In the summer of 1950, an unusual book burst onto the best-seller lists and almost instantly became the focus of a national cult. "Dianetics," an extraordinary blend of Eastern philosophy, psychoanalytic technique and futuristic theory, had been concocted by Lafayette Ronald Hubbard, a sometime explorer, engineer and science-fiction writer. The book offered a self-help answer to all manner of psychic and bodily ills, and the medical and psychiatric community responded with alarm. Partly for protection from these attacks, Hubbard in 1954 ...

The Church of Scientology is suing three Metropolitan Police officers over a report on the movement. They say the report has been circulated all over the world by Interpol. Mr David Gaiman, press officer of the sect, who is named in the report, said yesterday that it accused scientologists of numerous offences, including causing grievous bodily harm and drug trafficking. In September the movement issued a High Court writ against Sir Robert Mark, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, alleging libel in the ...

Hubbard and Another v Vosper and Another Before Lord Denning, the Master of the Rolls, Lord Justice Megaw and Lord Justice Stephenson. The court allowed an interlocutory appeal by defendants, Mr Cyril Ronald Vosper, of Inverness Terrace, W, and Neville Spearman Ltd, publishers, and set aside an injunction granted to Mr. Lafayette Ronald Hubbard and the Church of Scientology of California, of Saint Hill Manor, East Grinstead, Sussex, by Mr Justice Kilner Brown in chambers on October 4 restraining the defendants ...

In reply to a written question in the of Commons a few days ago, the Secretary of State for Social Services, Sir Keith Joseph, declared that he would be making an announcement about the publication of the Foster Report on Scientology "soon". However soon "soon" may be, he has certainly taken time about it. For the report, which was commissioned by his predecessor, Mr Richard Crossman, in January, 1969, has now been in his hands for the best part of ...