Pleased to see that most people are, sensibly taking the side of the cyclist in all this. However, it is clear that there are many real ignoramuses, who should not really be posting in a serious discussion, when they have no understanding of:
a) the highway code;
b) principles of taxation
c) cycling
The cyclist has as much right to occupy the left hand side of the road as the motorist, who should have treated him in the same way as another car or van (ie waited until the road was clear, indicated and overtaken carefully) So no real debate about this one.