The Office can confirm that further interviews have now taken place with Station Rat B regarding the possession and operation of a lamination machine.
During questioning, it was established that Station Rat B purchased the item from Small Office World along with a torch and a pack of 10,000 lanyards (size XXXXXS). The machine was subsequently used to laminate identity documents for Bat Moths.
Whilst yesterday’s constitutional ruling confirms that Bat Moths are constitutionally eligible to vote, this does not exonerate the rats from producing false identification documents, nor Bat Moths from presenting them.
Additionally, the Office has, as yet, seen no evidence that Station Rat B holds a valid Small Office Equipment Operator Licence, as required under Section 23 (Appendix 4) of the Office Health & Safety Manual.
The Department for Health & Safety (Ant Division) has therefore been asked to establish what health and safety procedures were breached during the production of the laminated identification documents.
The rat’s legal representative had this to say:
“Station Rat B was, it seems, coerced into purchasing the lamination machine by Station Rat A. He maintains that his actions were motivated solely by a desire to assist the Bat Moths in exercising what he believed to be their constitutional right to vote. He was entirely unaware that producing official-looking identification documents might constitute an offence and in no way intended to undermine confidence in the democratic process.
Furthermore, Station Rat A assured him that the Level 1 Photocopier Licence he holds also qualified him to operate a lamination machine. My client now understands that this is not the case.”
Station Rat B remains in custody pending further enquiries and the testimony of Station Rat A.