Following a mediated meeting with Sport England as of the 6th July, headway has been achieved toward a final and conclusive end to the matters pertaining to Henry Ellis and the British Aikido Board.

As part of the mutual agreement in this headway, I advised Sport England and representatives of the BAB that I would remove the "controversy" website. This has been done as of 07-July-04.

I am very pleased to present the following information in support of the resolution to the complaint heard and mediated by Sport England.

The minutes of the meeting have now been officially released by Sport England, the statement due for presentation on the BAB website has been approved both by Sport England and Henry Ellis, this will be presented on their website in due course.

In order to efficiantly and accurately inform the British Aikido community of the resolution, how it was acheived and the responce by the Governing Body, I will be presenting in full, the complaint submitted to Sport England, the minutes of the meeting held on the 6th July '04, and the responce to the complaint by the BAB Chairman.

This information is presented to ensure there can be no misunderstanding of the events.

The Complaint...

PURPOSE

The purpose of this document is, in line with our written complaint, to establish that the British Aikido Board has in our opinion;

(i) Acted unconstitutionally in the overall handling of the complaint made by Mr. Henry Ellis in 2000.

(ii) Behaved in a manner not conducive with the best interests of the British Aikido Community by allowing this complaint to continue unchecked for almost four years, despite the matter being discussed and debated on several public aikido websites both within the UK and overseas.

(iii) Failed to act independently and transparently in establishing material facts surrounding Mr. Jack Poole, namely: The clarification of his true martial arts background (post award) as a result of the release of a Martial Arts Biography that claimed several accreditations and experience which have been refuted with evidence by several prominent instructors. Including a senior [master] instructor from Aikido World Headquarters, Japan.

(iv) Failed to uphold an honest, honourable and trustworthy constitution contrary to the ideology of the sport and art of Aikido; through matters relating to Mr. Poole prior to his inclusion in the 2000 awards seminar. In this regard we feel the BAB executive has severely damaged their reputation as a credible and legitimate team responsible for the governing of British Aikido.

METHOD

By presenting to Sport England, in the presence of representatives of the British Aikido Board executive team, material evidence of our complaint and, through discussions, illustrate what we are attempting to establish.

Points to be presented:

(i) & (ii)
The chairman begins his official Statement issued on the BAB website with...

"One of the mill-stones I inherited on taking over as Chairman 2 years ago was the need to resolve the on-going complaint made by Henry Ellis"

This opening statement clearly illustrates that, Mr. Sumpter the current chairman of the BAB was well aware of the complaint, and that it had become a problematic issue.

The chairman continues...

"I felt his initial dealings with the Board could have been handled more compassionately than appears to have been the case"

In the above statement the chairman concedes in his opinion, his predecessor Tony Davis and the exec team failed to handle the matter correctly.

"I thought it inappropriate to apologise for the past actions of the Board"

Although this statement was made in the context of a pre-requisite to a meeting, Mr. Sumpter doesn't refute for the need of an apology in principle but, in the context of his previous comments, clearly admits Mr. Ellis had been treated less than compassionately but, still remained neutral despite the issues he'd already conceded IE: He knew of the complaint and he knew Mr. Ellis had not been treated correctly in the past. We see this as nothing short of an avoidance of an admission of responsibility.

During a BAB general meeting on 11th March 2000, Mr. Ellis was physically prevented from speaking by the then chairman Mr. T Davis. Mr. Davis abruptly halted the meeting at the point [any other business] at which Mr. Ellis wished to speak, despite the objections of another eminent Aikido Instructor [Mr. William Smith MBE] who protested at the chairman that Mr. Ellis should be allowed to speak. Mr. Davis claimed the room they occupied was waiting to be used by another group. This statement was in fact incorrect having been verified at the time (but following the meeting) the abruptness of the end of the meeting is reflected in the fact that the date and time of the following BAB meeting were missed from the minutes.

(iii)
The Chairman continues concerning Jack Poole's martial arts history

"...a dated resume of Jack Poole's aikido history – which, if I have read it correctly, does not appear to pre-date the mid-60s"

[This information supplied to Mr. Sumpter by an affiliate of Mr. Poole’s organisation, It appears unless we are mistaken, that Mr. Poole himself has not contributed to the clarification of his background directly to the British Aikido Board]

Mr. Sumpter has stated and clarified that Jack Poole's experience in aikido does not predate the mid 1960's. [The exact year is 1968]

This answers one point of our contention regarding Mr. Poole however; We would like to point out, the question relating to [when] Jack Poole actually commenced aikido was presented to the British Aikido Board on 28th February 2000 where, during a meeting between Shirley Timms [Secretary BAB] Derek Eastman, Henry Ellis & Hyden Foster, it was established that Jack Poole had not commenced aikido before 1968 yet, it has taken the British Aikido Board nearly fours years to confirm and acknowledge what was previously presented to them and, the confirmation of this information only resulted as a direct response to the involvement of Sport England.

In clarification of Mr. Poole's approximated year of commencing Aikido [Actually 1968] The Chairman has made in our opinion an indirect admission that; the circulation of the [Jack Poole 47th year in aikido] poster [Included] through the Governing Body, as an official vehicle for advertising this seminar was unsubstantiated; the claim being made was not verified as accurate, and lead the British Aikido Board membership into believing Mr. Poole was celebrating an aikido career beginning in 1953. This has now been established by the chairman as incorrect. Resulting from this inaccuracy, students who participated in that course did so entirely under false pretences and paid an entrance fee for that privilege.

I understand that Mr. Poole later stated the wording on the poster was incorrect and should have read "47 years martial arts experience" [or words to that effect] It is worth pointing out, this poster was to our knowledge designed, created and then passed to the British Aikido Board from directly within Mr. Poole's own aikido organisation; however, according a previously released biography, [Prepared and released by Simon Deering - A student and friend of Mr. Poole since 1973] It is claimed that Mr. Poole commenced Judo at the age of 8 (circa 1928/9) If this is to be believed, then the figure of "47" is grossly inaccurate. We would be pleased to see the British Aikido Board approach Mr. Poole in this regard and clarify the exact nature of that celebratory seminar. In addition, explain why the poster was in fact circulated given Ms. Timms involvement in the February meeting where it was established that Mr. Poole’s [Aikido] commenced in 1968, and not 1953 as suggested by the actual wording on the poster.

It is obvious that despite being alerted to the concerns of Mr. Ellis – [Mr. Ellis being Mr. Poole's first Aikido instructor in 1968, and a primary researcher in to his biographical claims] The British Aikido Board failed to investigate any discrepancies, in doing so failed to legitimise the award prior to it’s issue and, following the awards; resulting from the continued public concerns of the accuracy of the information released on behalf of Mr. Poole. We would therefore be pleased to see the British Aikido Board approach Mr. Poole in relation to the matter of a previously released biography, to substantiate where Mr. Deering obtained the data from and whether its release was authorised.

We would like to state, without prejudice to either Mr. Poole or the British Aikido Board, It is relevant to point out that; to make a claim of experience, qualification or accreditation, to which one is not entitled, in order to establish a gain, is known as Pecuniary Advantage and is contrary to Section 15 of the Theft Act.

We would like to state again that we are not accusing either Mr. Poole or the British Aikido Board of Pecuniary Advantage however, in line with a previously and publicly released biography which was displayed for a period of time on an internet website promoting Mr. Poole and, released to Mr. Scarfone in justification of criticism that Mr. Poole received following his inclusion of the 2000 awards; we would like to make clear that the British Aikido Board did absolutely nothing to clarify the accuracy of Mr. Poole’s history in aikido or his other alleged experience that was raising concerns within the wider martial arts community.

We would like to clarify... The issues at hand aren't about Jack Poole per sé; they are specifically about establishing a highly questionable line of decision making within the British Aikido Board executive team relating to Mr. Poole and a failure to legitimise the award issued, both prior too and after its presentation.

Additionally and pertinent to Mr. Poole’s background, it has been established beyond doubt, through the officials responsible for the running and administration of Judo within the UK, (both past and present) that Jack Poole does not hold any black belt grade in Judo [Claiming a 3rd degree] or represented the British Judo Council in any [international] competitive events during the 1950's. The British Judo Council are in no doubt that no record exists of a 'Jack Poole' ever studying Judo within the United Kingdom in relation to the biography prepared and released on behalf of Mr. Poole by Simon Deering. They have also confirmed that no International competitions took place in the 1950's within the BJC or the MOSJ. Incidentally, the British Judo Council was not formed until 1958 despite it being suggested that Mr. Poole represented that organisation before that date.

As such, the British Aikido Board contributed to a misleading of its membership in circulating a document that made a false and grossly inaccurate claim. Note the statement at the bottom of the poster "Member of the British Aikido Board" The circulating of this document was in effect an unofficial endorsement of the information presented on it.

Incidentally; but pertinent to further establishing the questionable background of Mr. Poole [which should have investigated by the BAB] Mr. Poole has claimed through a previously issued biography, experience, grades and accreditation in several martial arts namely, and in brief:

Judo [Grades and competitive experience where no record exists]

Kendo
[Instruction from a Japanese National who it is revealed was a schoolboy at the time, and not teaching Kendo]

Karate
[Contrary to the documented history of Karate in the UK, would make Mr. Poole the first black belt in the UK 11 years before its recorded inception to the UK.] Aikido
[Claims of training and years of experience with instructors that has been clarified as incorrect.]

In each of these instances, comprehensive research has revealed that all of the claims are in fact false. One must consider that Mr. Poole like many martial arts instructors, especially a Principal Coach in charge of an organisation, derives its members, membership fees and monetary recompense based upon a reputation and not just technical ability. Although the British Aikido Board is not responsible for any martial art other than Aikido, their members have a responsibility to act honestly. As a Governing Body, The British Aikido Board surely must be directly responsible for the conduct of its membership whether presented in writing, electronically through the internet or in the actual practice of the art/sport.

In a letter addressed to Mr. Ellis, 20th August 2003, Mr. Arnold Davies [Bushido ZaZen International] is quoted as stating…

“Based on our misguided trust, Jack Poole was elected head of Aikido for the ZaZen Society. At no time whilst he was with the Society did he mention that he had trained or graded in Kendo / Judo /or Karate, if he had, this would have been recorded, IT IS NOT.

In the wish to introduce Aikido into our Society I was one of those that trusted this man, at my age I should have known better. I am however wiser, for the experience.

My own opinion of Jack Poole and which is drawn from experience is; I see him as a very egotistical man who will use and abuse the trust of genuine people in order to develop an identity for himself."

It is unfortunate, and we regret, that Jack Poole and issues surrounding the BAB are a matter of public debate. This matter however, could have been dealt with appropriately, timely and involving all the parties concerned. However; despite the fact that Mr. Ellis was unwilling to attend a meeting where the BAB acted as mediators and not participants in a complaint, the BAB could have taken positive action early in this controversy and made their own investigations, putting a conclusive end to the public debating over the credibility of one of their seemingly most senior and principle members. Whilst it is somewhat understandable that the British Aikido Board would not want to add fuel to an already widely discussed topic, we are unable to comprehend why the executive team did not take the appropriate action to substantiate the facts, present them to their membership and conclude the matter.

(iv)
The chairman continues with regard to Mr. Poole and his inclusion in the awards...

"I was not privy to the discussions and decisions prior to 2000 which resulted in the presentation of commemorative statuettes to a handful of long-standing aikidoka; but I can say with some conviction that nobody received a statuette for "47 years" in aikido – Mr Poole's presentation was for his "many years" in aikido Therefore, not withstanding the rights and wrongs of subsequent handling of this complaint, I am satisfied that in this one regard the Board's conscience is clear."

The Chairman states that discussions were entered into relating to the inclusion of Mr. Poole in the awards, We do not expect Mr. Sumpter to be able to account directly for these discussions however, a very large portion of the existing executive team predate him to the time in question and, would be able to clarify exactly what criteria was used to select Mr. Poole over and above several eminent instructors within the UK [see list] who have a substantial amount more years within aikido. We would also expect the minutes of these meetings discussing Mr. Poole's inclusion, to substantiate the reasons; we would be pleased to see the BAB present them to Sport England.

Additionally and with regard to the inclusion of Mr. Poole. It is obvious the decision to include him in the awards was made after the publishing and distribution of the 'October 2000 posters' [Included] earlier that year. Unless we are to believe that someone within the BAB neglected to include Mr. Poole in the list prior to going to press. Although a plausible reason, this would however have left a grammatical error in the description of both the criteria for the awards specifically… "40 continuous years teaching aikido" Which Mr. Poole never had and, the actual number of recipients (6) but, the poster clearly states 5 in line with the correct listed individuals. Therefore, we suggest the poster was accurate at the time of publication and distribution, a later decision was made to add Mr. Poole to the awards ceremony. The question therefore arises... What initiated or prompted Jack Poole's inclusion in the awards after the decisions had been taken about the seminar, the poster gone to print, and later advertised and distributed through the membership?

We understand from the minutes of a British Aikido Board meeting just 14 days prior to the awards ceremony in October that no references were made to the inclusion of Mr. Poole despite reference being made relating to the existing five recipients.

We are additionally informed by Mr. Ralph Reynolds [Then Vice Chairman] the previous Chairman Mr. T Davis had commented the giving of a statue to Jack Poole would “appease him” [appease Jack Poole]

One must also assume given a part of Mr. Sumpter's statement...

"…nobody received a statuette for "47 years" in aikido – Mr. Poole's presentation was for his "many years" in aikido, which suggests that someone on the Executive did listen or take note of Mr. Ellis' concerns in this matter"

This statement suggests the British Aikido Board was not aware of Mr. Poole's questionable background prior to Mr. Ellis alerting them to the discrepancies previously illustrated. Additionally, Mr. Sumpter's statement strongly suggests 'a change' was made to Jack Poole's award [In line with Mr. Ellis's concerns] otherwise it appears Mr. Poole would have received his award under the same circumstances as the other recipients, which as established, would have been unjustified. [as Mr. Sumpter has already publicly clarified]

It is also important to note, that at no time during the presentation of the awards by the then Mayor of Birmingham, absolutely no distinction was made or offered to the large number of watching students, that, an award for "Many Years" was being made. Everyone including myself was unaware that Mr. Poole was receiving this award for any other reason than stated on the seminar poster. Another aspect where we feel the British Aikido Board contributed to a misleading of its membership and, allowing Mr. Poole to rest within a reputation for which he was/is un-entitled. [Photo of presentation available for the meeting]

We therefore feel that Jack Poole's award was illegitimate based upon the existing criteria used in the selection of the remaining recipients, additionally, the British Aikido Board mislead its membership in believing Mr. Poole received his award in line with the criteria stated on the advertising poster. [Regardless of the fact the presentation was supposedly for “Many Years”] Further, they discredited themselves for failing to substantiate the facts surrounding Mr. Poole's background prior to the awards despite the earlier meeting that established the actual year Mr. Poole commenced Aikido. A photo of Mr Poole as a beginner in 1968 was loaned to the British Aikido Board secretary, this has never been returned.

We would like to state that the ‘giving’ of the award to Mr. Poole isn’t our primary concern had; the award had been given in a transparent presentation where, the reason for it was known to the membership, and a clear distinction for the legitimateness had been established.

The question specifically surrounding the legitimateness of the award then presents itself again... Why was Jack Poole included in the awards?

We understand from the then Vice Chairman Ralph Reynolds, that coercion was placed upon the British Aikido Board to include Mr. Poole in the awards, this coercion was a veiled threat to remove the Shinwakai, Mr. Poole's sizable organisation and its affiliated members, from the British Aikido Board if he was not included in the awards ceremony. We are unable to substantiate exactly who was responsible for the coercion; merely that it did take place and was the reason for Mr. Poole’s involvement.

CONCLUSION

We feel satisfied that inclusive of the information presented here, there is enough weigh of doubt upon the British Aikido Board’s credibility, as an [officially recognised] organisation to represent the interests of the Aikido Community within the United Kingdom.

RECOMMENDATIONS
(i), (ii), (iii), (iv)

The upholding of our complaint would illustrate in our considered opinions as instructors and students of aikido within the UK that, the BAB are, in it's current format, unfit to represent the interests of British Aikido as an honest, honourable and trustworthy association. We respectfully request that Sport England consider the removal of their 'recognition' of the British Aikido Board as the Governing Body for Aikido within the UK or, that Sport England request the resignation of the Executive Board if that is indeed appropriate or within the bounds of Sport England's remit.

We do not seek to publicly name the parties involved in this matter. Enough has regrettably been said and presented in the public domain. We do not seek to cause embarrassment however; we feel it is only prudent to ensure a full written statement appears on the BAB website advising its membership of the content and conclusions of this meeting; this statement should include a specific apology to the complainants by name and, we strongly feel it is important for an apology to be offered to the British Aikido Community. We also feel that a letter or copy of the BAB's statement in these affairs be sent to every Principal Instructor within the membership.

This would respectfully conclude our complaint.

Copies to:
Sadie Mason
David Humm
Henry Ellis
Derek Eastman