Difference between revisions of "Shrewsbury 24"
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
m (Text replacement - " terrorism" to " "terrorism"") |
(Trade unions send solidarity to Shrewsbury 24 as they head to court to clear the names) |
||
| Line 7: | Line 7: | ||
|website=http://www.shrewsbury24campaign.org.uk/ | |website=http://www.shrewsbury24campaign.org.uk/ | ||
}} | }} | ||
| − | The '''Shrewsbury 24''' were trade union members working in the construction industry who sought to persuade their non-unionised colleagues to join the 1972 building workers' strike for better pay and conditions, by picketing building sites in and around Shrewsbury, Shropshire. Twenty four of the pickets were charged under the [ | + | The '''Shrewsbury 24''' were trade union members working in the construction industry who sought to persuade their non-unionised colleagues to join the [https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2015/12/15/shre-d15.html 1972 building workers' strike] for better pay and conditions, by picketing building sites in and around Shrewsbury, Shropshire.<ref>[https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2015/12/15/shre-d15.html "Government conspiracy against 1972 UK builders’ strike exposed"]</ref> Twenty four of the pickets were charged under the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conspiracy,_and_Protection_of_Property_Act_1875 1875 Conspiracy Act,] tried and convicted of intimidation and six were jailed.<ref>[http://www.shrewsbury24campaign.org.uk/history/the-picketing-at-shrewsbury/ "Picketing At Shrewsbury"]</ref> |
==Overturning the conviction== | ==Overturning the conviction== | ||
| Line 15: | Line 15: | ||
In December 2013, more than 100,000 people signed a petition calling to clear the names of the Shrewsbury 24.<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-shropshire-25334571 "Shrewsbury 24 pickets petition signed by 100,000"]</ref> | In December 2013, more than 100,000 people signed a petition calling to clear the names of the Shrewsbury 24.<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-shropshire-25334571 "Shrewsbury 24 pickets petition signed by 100,000"]</ref> | ||
| − | ==Releasing the papers== | + | ===Releasing the papers=== |
| − | In a speech to the Labour Party conference in September 2015, [[Shadow Home Secretary]] [[Andy Burnham]] called for the "full story" of the arrests of the Shrewsbury 24 to be laid bare. Burnham, who successfully campaigned for the [ | + | In a speech to the Labour Party conference in September 2015, [[Shadow Home Secretary]] [[Andy Burnham]] called for the "full story" of the arrests of the Shrewsbury 24 to be laid bare. Burnham, who successfully campaigned for the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hillsborough_disaster Hillsborough Inquiry,] said: |
:"In recent years, we have learnt more about how we were governed in the 20th Century. What we know isn't good but we still don't know it all. We don't know the full extent of the collusion between senior police and press and that's why the [[Leveson Inquiry|second inquiry]] recommended by [[Lord Leveson]] must go ahead. We won't know the full story of Hillsborough until we know what the same police force did to the miners in the aftermath of Orgreave. And to understand how an anti-trade union culture developed in parts of our police in the past, we need the full story about the false convictions and imprisonment of building workers in Shrewsbury. I will make it my personal priority in this job to put the pieces of this jigsaw together - alongside other historical injustices we have seen - child sexual abuse and exploitation, the blacklisting of workers, the abuse of stop and search powers against black and Asian young people. No more delay - give us the full truth about Shrewsbury, give us the full truth about Orgreave, justice demands it. We can only build a more equal society in this century when we know about the injustices of the last."<ref>[http://www.shropshirestar.com/news/2015/09/30/burnham-calls-for-release-of-papers-on-the-shrewsbury-24/ "Burnham calls for release of papers on the 'Shrewsbury 24'"]</ref> | :"In recent years, we have learnt more about how we were governed in the 20th Century. What we know isn't good but we still don't know it all. We don't know the full extent of the collusion between senior police and press and that's why the [[Leveson Inquiry|second inquiry]] recommended by [[Lord Leveson]] must go ahead. We won't know the full story of Hillsborough until we know what the same police force did to the miners in the aftermath of Orgreave. And to understand how an anti-trade union culture developed in parts of our police in the past, we need the full story about the false convictions and imprisonment of building workers in Shrewsbury. I will make it my personal priority in this job to put the pieces of this jigsaw together - alongside other historical injustices we have seen - child sexual abuse and exploitation, the blacklisting of workers, the abuse of stop and search powers against black and Asian young people. No more delay - give us the full truth about Shrewsbury, give us the full truth about Orgreave, justice demands it. We can only build a more equal society in this century when we know about the injustices of the last."<ref>[http://www.shropshirestar.com/news/2015/09/30/burnham-calls-for-release-of-papers-on-the-shrewsbury-24/ "Burnham calls for release of papers on the 'Shrewsbury 24'"]</ref> | ||
| − | ==Westminster Hall debate== | + | ===Westminster Hall debate=== |
On 9 December 2015, [[Steve Rotheram]] MP Parliamentary Private Secretary to Labour leader [[Jeremy Corbyn]], sponsored a debate in [[Westminster Hall]] concerning the lack of transparency regarding the Conservative government. He emphasised the age of the pickets and the need for no further delay in releasing the papers, and allow the pickets to receive the justice they deserve.<ref>[http://www.shrewsbury24campaign.org.uk/2015/12/westminster-hall-debate/ "Westminster Hall Debate: Home Office and the case of the Shrewsbury 24"]</ref> [[Andy Burnham]], Shadow Home Secretary, threatened to oppose [[Theresa May]]'s plans to extend spying powers under the Draft Investigatory Powers Bill (which aims to overhaul the laws governing how the state, police and spies can gather private communications or other forms of data to combat crime, "terrorism" and other threats to national security) unless it releases papers about the "politically motivated show trial" of the Shrewsbury 24. Burnham alleged that the men were victims of a propaganda war, and there was undue political influence "at the very top of government" over the decision to prosecute them. He said: | On 9 December 2015, [[Steve Rotheram]] MP Parliamentary Private Secretary to Labour leader [[Jeremy Corbyn]], sponsored a debate in [[Westminster Hall]] concerning the lack of transparency regarding the Conservative government. He emphasised the age of the pickets and the need for no further delay in releasing the papers, and allow the pickets to receive the justice they deserve.<ref>[http://www.shrewsbury24campaign.org.uk/2015/12/westminster-hall-debate/ "Westminster Hall Debate: Home Office and the case of the Shrewsbury 24"]</ref> [[Andy Burnham]], Shadow Home Secretary, threatened to oppose [[Theresa May]]'s plans to extend spying powers under the Draft Investigatory Powers Bill (which aims to overhaul the laws governing how the state, police and spies can gather private communications or other forms of data to combat crime, "terrorism" and other threats to national security) unless it releases papers about the "politically motivated show trial" of the Shrewsbury 24. Burnham alleged that the men were victims of a propaganda war, and there was undue political influence "at the very top of government" over the decision to prosecute them. He said: | ||
:"What possible justification can there be, 43 years on, for information about it to be withheld on national security grounds? The failure to disclose has less to do with national security and much more to do with the potential for political embarrassment."<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-35047872 "Shrewsbury 24: Labour threat over spying powers bill"]</ref> | :"What possible justification can there be, 43 years on, for information about it to be withheld on national security grounds? The failure to disclose has less to do with national security and much more to do with the potential for political embarrassment."<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-35047872 "Shrewsbury 24: Labour threat over spying powers bill"]</ref> | ||
| − | Replying to the debate, | + | Replying to the debate, Minister of State for Policing and Justice [[Mike Penning]] said files relating to the investigation and conviction of the Shrewsbury 24 could not be released on the grounds of "[[national security]]".<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-35047872 "Shrewsbury 24: Government rejects calls to release files"]</ref> |
| + | |||
| + | ===Appeal Court hearing=== | ||
| + | On 3 February 2021, the surviving Shrewsbury 24 pickets fought to clear their name in a two-day hearing at the Court of Appeal after they were criminalised for going out on strike in 1972. [[Unite]] general secretary [[Len McCluskey]] said: | ||
| + | :“The deep injustices perpetrated against working people by the state, including the Shrewsbury pickets, have been, quite simply, criminal. | ||
| + | |||
| + | :“I’ve been so proud of all [[Unite]] has done throughout the nearly 50 years of the campaign to support the 24 in their fight for justice. Today, the truth must be heard.”<ref>[https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/b/trade-unions-send-solidarity-to-shrewsbury-24-as-they-head-to-court-to-clear-the-names "Trade unions send solidarity to Shrewsbury 24 as they head to court to clear the names"]</ref> | ||
{{SMWDocs}} | {{SMWDocs}} | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
<references/> | <references/> | ||
Revision as of 14:51, 3 February 2021
 Shrewsbury 24    | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Formation | 6 September 1972 |
| Interest of | Laurie Flynn |
| Membership | • Kevin Butcher • John Carpenter • Malcolm Clee • Gary Davies • Bill Hooson • Derrick Hughes • Alfred James • John Mckinsie Jones • John Elfyn Llywarch • Dennis Morris • George Arthur Murray • Kenneth O’Shea • Mike Pierce • Terry Renshaw • Graham Roberts • Peter Sear • John Seaburg • Bryn Thomas •  Ricky Tomlinson• Roy Warburton •  Des Warren•  Brian Williams• Edward Williams • Tom Williams |
| Labour is threatening to oppose Tory government plans to extend spying powers unless it releases papers about the "politically motivated show trial" of the Shrewsbury 24 in the 1970s. | |
The Shrewsbury 24 were trade union members working in the construction industry who sought to persuade their non-unionised colleagues to join the 1972 building workers' strike for better pay and conditions, by picketing building sites in and around Shrewsbury, Shropshire.[1] Twenty four of the pickets were charged under the 1875 Conspiracy Act, tried and convicted of intimidation and six were jailed.[2]
Contents
Overturning the conviction
Laurie Flynn and Ricky Tomlinson commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Shrewsbury Pickets in Liverpool
The Shrewsbury 24 Campaign supported by trade unions, MPs, journalists and members of the public seeks to overturn the conviction. TV star Ricky Tomlinson, who spent 16 months in jail, says:
- "I speak not just for myself but also for all the pickets who were charged. Many of them never worked again due to the blacklist, in particular Des Warren who died in 2004. The prison sentences and fines we received for picketing completely wrecked our lives. The Official Shrewsbury 24 Campaign Committee have carried out extensive research into this miscarriage of justice and are confident that our application to the Criminal Cases Review Commission has a good chance of being considered favourably and referred to the Court Of Appeal, where we hope the convictions will be quashed. I thank them from the bottom of my heart for all their efforts. Please support our campaign."[3]
In December 2013, more than 100,000 people signed a petition calling to clear the names of the Shrewsbury 24.[4]
Releasing the papers
In a speech to the Labour Party conference in September 2015, Shadow Home Secretary Andy Burnham called for the "full story" of the arrests of the Shrewsbury 24 to be laid bare. Burnham, who successfully campaigned for the Hillsborough Inquiry, said:
- "In recent years, we have learnt more about how we were governed in the 20th Century. What we know isn't good but we still don't know it all. We don't know the full extent of the collusion between senior police and press and that's why the second inquiry recommended by Lord Leveson must go ahead. We won't know the full story of Hillsborough until we know what the same police force did to the miners in the aftermath of Orgreave. And to understand how an anti-trade union culture developed in parts of our police in the past, we need the full story about the false convictions and imprisonment of building workers in Shrewsbury. I will make it my personal priority in this job to put the pieces of this jigsaw together - alongside other historical injustices we have seen - child sexual abuse and exploitation, the blacklisting of workers, the abuse of stop and search powers against black and Asian young people. No more delay - give us the full truth about Shrewsbury, give us the full truth about Orgreave, justice demands it. We can only build a more equal society in this century when we know about the injustices of the last."[5]
Westminster Hall debate
On 9 December 2015, Steve Rotheram MP Parliamentary Private Secretary to Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, sponsored a debate in Westminster Hall concerning the lack of transparency regarding the Conservative government. He emphasised the age of the pickets and the need for no further delay in releasing the papers, and allow the pickets to receive the justice they deserve.[6] Andy Burnham, Shadow Home Secretary, threatened to oppose Theresa May's plans to extend spying powers under the Draft Investigatory Powers Bill (which aims to overhaul the laws governing how the state, police and spies can gather private communications or other forms of data to combat crime, "terrorism" and other threats to national security) unless it releases papers about the "politically motivated show trial" of the Shrewsbury 24. Burnham alleged that the men were victims of a propaganda war, and there was undue political influence "at the very top of government" over the decision to prosecute them. He said:
- "What possible justification can there be, 43 years on, for information about it to be withheld on national security grounds? The failure to disclose has less to do with national security and much more to do with the potential for political embarrassment."[7]
Replying to the debate, Minister of State for Policing and Justice Mike Penning said files relating to the investigation and conviction of the Shrewsbury 24 could not be released on the grounds of "national security".[8]
Appeal Court hearing
On 3 February 2021, the surviving Shrewsbury 24 pickets fought to clear their name in a two-day hearing at the Court of Appeal after they were criminalised for going out on strike in 1972. Unite general secretary Len McCluskey said:
- “The deep injustices perpetrated against working people by the state, including the Shrewsbury pickets, have been, quite simply, criminal.
- “I’ve been so proud of all Unite has done throughout the nearly 50 years of the campaign to support the 24 in their fight for justice. Today, the truth must be heard.”[9]
Related Quotation
| Page | Quote | Author | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| "National security" | “What possible justification can there be, 43 years on, for information about it [the trial of the Shrewsbury 24], to be withheld on national security grounds? The failure to disclose has less to do with national security and much more to do with the potential for political embarrassment.” | Andy Burnham | 2015 |
Known members
3 of the 24 of the members already have pages here:
| Member | Description |
|---|---|
| Ricky Tomlinson | |
| Des Warren | Together with Ricky Tomlinson, Des Warren received the stiffest sentences of the Shrewsbury 24. |
| Brian Williams | Corporate journalist nominated for fake news award |
Related Document
| Title | Type | Publication date | Author(s) | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Document:Government conspiracy against 1972 UK builders’ strike exposed | Article | 15 December 2015 | Barry Mason | On 3 February 2021, the surviving Shrewsbury 24 pickets fought to clear their name in a two-day hearing at the Court of Appeal after they were criminalised for going out on strike in 1972. |
Many thanks to our Patrons who cover ~2/3 of our hosting bill. Please join them if you can.
References
- ↑ "Government conspiracy against 1972 UK builders’ strike exposed"
- ↑ "Picketing At Shrewsbury"
- ↑ "Pickets' statements"
- ↑ "Shrewsbury 24 pickets petition signed by 100,000"
- ↑ "Burnham calls for release of papers on the 'Shrewsbury 24'"
- ↑ "Westminster Hall Debate: Home Office and the case of the Shrewsbury 24"
- ↑ "Shrewsbury 24: Labour threat over spying powers bill"
- ↑ "Shrewsbury 24: Government rejects calls to release files"
- ↑ "Trade unions send solidarity to Shrewsbury 24 as they head to court to clear the names"
