Regarding Stuart Christie by Martin Gilbert

I ONLY met him once. It was outside the gates of Speakers Corner, Hyde Park, in 1963, Stuart had only been in London a short while. His accent was so thick I had difficulty understanding him. We were both selling papers. I had PEACE NEWS, and SANITY, (now long-gone, published by national CND). Also, we were both selling FREEDOM, a very different paper from what it has declined into. Stuart indicated that the papers were selling very well. Soon, we were were both busy chatting with different people and I never saw him again.

When he was arrested [in August 1964] reactions were very mixed. Predictabley, the media’s response was something like”….typical anarchists...”. Young CNDers and our fellow travellers showed 100% solidarity with Stuart. We had an old motor coach to aid our campaigning, so drove to Blackpool for the Labour party conference.

Readers may know that back then CND was much more establishment oriented. The line was only to approve of traditional methods of getting our messages across. This was years before national CND voted to support non violent direct action; thanks to the women at Greenham Common in 1980. So instead of following the (then) strict line we lobbied for Stuart’s release. Old campaigners were furious with us. In mitigation we claimed, incorrectly, that he was only carrying literature; which was also illegal in Franco’s Spain.

Lessons were gained from it all. One was awareness of the extent of Franco’s spies. Also, how open we and other groups were to infiltration from different kinds of Cops. But too much caution can only lead to quietism.

martin gilbert Sept. ‘20

STUART CHRISTIE DIES! Intro. by Brian Bamford

PART ONE - THE AUTHOR'S INTRODUCTION:

Stuart Christie: a Scottish anarchist writer and publisher. Who when aged 18, Christie was arrested in Madrid while carrying explosives to assassinate the Spanish caudillo, General Francisco Franco. He was later alleged to be a member of the Angry Brigade, but was acquitted of related charges.

Born: July 10, 1946, Partick, Glasgow, United Kingdom

Died: August 15, 2020

Movies: The Angry Brigade: The Spectacular Rise and Fall of Britain’s First Urban Guerilla Group Organizations founded: Anarchist Black Cross Federation, Cienfuegos Press

******************************************************

BEYOND an OBITUARY!:

STUART Christie was an anarchist who had quality and consistency as well as quantity and a prolific output. From the early 1960s when he first engaged with Bobby Lynn and the Glasgow anarchists to his death bed listening to 'Pennies from Heaven' Stuart sternly stuck to his beliefs dedicated to a classical version of anarchism.

My last contact with Stuart was an unusually brief e-mail from him last November in which he wrote: 'Bearing up, Brian. Hope you are too. Un abrazo!.'

However I must offer a health warning, as in the 56 years since we first became acquainted in Paris in 1964, our paths have been very different. His commitment was to internationalist view while mine since the 1960s when I lived and worked in Spain has been mostly more parochial. My engagement with the anarchist movement in Spain and later Gibraltar was very different from that of Stuart even though we were functioning in the same organisation: the FIJL (DI). My role was purely one of propaganda and intelligence, and at no time was I involved in the violent activist deeds which were designed to discourage tourism or strike at General Franco.

My task and that of my then wife, Joan, was the much more humdrum; in my case one of working on the tools as an electrician, and delivering Butane Gas to the villages on the Cabo San Antonio in Alicante. Much more boring than 'daring-do' and prison life, but a way of soaking-up Spanish culture and everyday life as it was lived by many young Spaniards at that time who migrated to the coast from places like Albacete and Andalucia: working a six day week and paid 750 pesetas. Meanwhile, our FIJL campaign against Spanish tourism clearly failed, yet fortunately less tragically than Stuart's failed mission to kill Franco.

Among the many obituaries published on Stuart the most perceptive that I have yet seen has been that of the historian Julián Casanova in El País 'El escocés de la FAI que trató de matar a Franco' Casanova argues that Stuart Christie believed that 'a fusion of different forms of resistance such as the workers, the students, the greens into the language of political anarchism. Just as Bakunin, thought it was possible to harmonise individualism with the socialist collectivism.' Casanova writes: 'He [Stuart] liked the men of action, but in reality he [Stuart] and his wife Brenda went on to propagate forms of idelogy with various cultural manifestations, which demonstrated the force of culture with ideas.'

'

Stuart's wife Brenda died last year aged 70 years, from cancer. Casanova writes: 'The obituaries now record that his prime intention was to kill Franco. Yet he was a committed anarchist using his pen and the engaged in cultural aggitation, in times when the revolutionaries with "consciences" have past into history. Anarchist solidarity, that reflects on the concequences of industrial capilalism, nuclear disarmament, and abuses by the State. He was a Scot who would have loved to live in the golden epoch of Spanish anarchism.'

Julián Casanova knew Stuart Christie from when he met him at Queen Mary College, London, in the Autumn of 1985. At that event were other hispanistas like Ronald Fraser, and he speaks warmly of the seminars, dinners and debates over the Spanish Civil War, Franco, the monarchy, Juan Carlos and the transistion.

It strikes me that Casanova understood Stuart better than most of us.

*******************************************************

Blacklist Campaign & Police Involvement

LAST Wednesday with the walkout of the Spycops inquiry in a show of no confidence in Judge Mitting.  The Blacklist Support Group took that décision in solidarity with others families including the Lawrence’s and other groups being represented within these proceedings.

Our collective message was clear - We are done with stonewalling and whitewashes. 

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/mar/21/campaigners-stage-walkout-of-secretive-police-spying-inquiry

https://newint.org/features/web-exclusive/2018/03/23/spycops-victims-walkout-police-inquiry

https://leftfootforward.org/2018/03/government-must-restore-credibility-of-spy-cops-inquiry/

Last Friday - The Met Police finally officially confirmed that Special Branch and other police were involved in the Blacklisting of construction workers.  The following disclosures have now been widely reported in the worlds news. Blacklisted workers appeared and our supporters appeared on TV and radio throughout the day.  This has been 6 years going back to 2012 since we first raised it through our QC Imran Khan through the IPCC. 

Blacklist Support Group would like to have it placed on record our appreciation for all the activists, lawyers, investigative journalists, researchers, trade unionists and politicians who have worked alongside us and whose efforts have finally forced the Met Police to make these admissions. 

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-43507728

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/police-trade-unions-latest-special-branch-blacklist-support-group-ipcc-construction-industry-a8270036.html

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/mar/23/officers-likely-to-have-passed-personal-files-to-blacklisters-says-met

https://www.union-news.co.uk/met-police-admit-spying-on-trade-unionists-for-blacklisting-bosses/

https://evolvepolitics.com/of-course-the-met-police-colluded-with-blacklisters-how-else-did-i-appear-on-their-list/

After the revelations about police collusion in blacklisting,  Unite the Union are now considering opening new legal proceedings against the Met Police.  Watch this space 

http://www.unitetheunion.org/news/police-blacklisting-admission-could-lead-to-fresh-legal-action/

https://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/article/unite-poised-take-legal-action-against-met-over-blacklisting

With the above in mind, we ask supporters to highlight the Met Police admission to their local elected Police Commissioner, many of whom are Labour politicians and run our Police Forces.  We suggest that our supporters send letters using the text below as a standard template making amendments as you see fit:  

Blacklist Support Group open letter to our Police Commissioner’s over police collusion and spying. 

The Blacklist Support Group notes the recent and most shocking disclosures and statement of the Metropolitan Police regarding the undercover policing scandal.  It is with huge dismay that it has taken 6 years for the Metropolitan Police to admit that police supplied information to the unlawful construction blacklist.  And only then after our legal representatives complained to the IPCC back in 2012. 

Our attention must now turn to the solutions.  Aside from any legal action against these political policing units, we call upon Police Commissioners to now come out in full support of those who suffered as a consequence of these clandestine anti-democratic operations. 
 
We therefore ask the Police Commissioners to go on record and condemn the actions of the undercover police units spying on trade unions unreservedly and call for these covert political policing units that spy on legal democratic political campaigns should be disbanded immediately. 

Roy Bentham co-Secretary of the BSG added:

'This culture of impunity has to end.  As someone who seen it as a Hillsborough survivor it’s appalling it still appears to be rife within our police forces.  As Labour politicians, our commissioners also have a duty to serve the people who voted them in.  A statement on denouncing these black ops is surely the bare minimum and we need promises of transparency going forward as that is the only way to win our trust back as ordinary working class citizens'

Cambridgeshire Spy Cop - Cops Out!

Undercover Spy-cop Andy Coles (photo - The Guardian)

ANDY Coles, deputy police and crime commissioner for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, has stepped down three days after his past as an undercover officer infiltrating political groups was revealed.
Today, The Guardian disclosed that the woman, known only as 'Jessica', is taking legal action against the police, alleging that Coles groomed and manipulated her.
Last Friday, he was accused of grooming a 19-year-old activist into having a sexual relationship with him while he was working undercoverin the 1990s.
Mr. Coles has said:  'There have been news reports over the weekend about which I am unable to comment.  This coverage is significantly impacting on my ability to carry out my duties as deputy police and crime commissioner.
'I have therefore today tendered my resignation with immediate effect, which [the] police and crime commissioner, Jason Ablewhite, has accepted.'
He disclosed that the allegations have been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission to be investigated.
Rob Evans in the Guardian reports that Jessica, who had called for his resignation, said  today:
'I am relieved. He has done the right thing.
'This is just the start of what is going to be a long legal process to try and get some answers from both him and his superiors.'

Elections, Pitchford Inquiry & Vain Expectations?

 WE are publishing the newsletter below from the

Blacklist Support Group.  We publish it as we

always do, but without any great expectations

or hopes with regard to any kind of plebian victory 

resulting from the General Election.  While we may 

agree with Ludwig Wittgenstein that William the Conquer

got himself a good bargain in 1066, generally we side with

Orwell who said:  'The corruption that happens in England 
is seldom of that kind [overt].  Nearly always it is more in the 
nature of self-deception, of the right hand not knowing what 
the left hand doeth.  And being unconcious it is limited.'
(See The Lion & the Unicorn').  That is why, in the final
analysis, Northern Voices cannot fully embrace the optimism
of the Blacklist Support Group either with regard to the
Pitchford Inquiry or indeed in their expectations from a
Labour Government.  We wish the blacklist campaigners
well, but we cannot stomach the necessary self-deception
involved in promoting the Labour Party.
******

EVERY political party in the General Election is claiming to be the voice of the workers. Blacklisted construction workers know the score:

1. Labour pledges a public inquiry into blacklisting: That gets our vote!

http://www.labour.org.uk/index.php/workers/

This pledge was announced by John McDonnell in St.George's Hall, Liverpool last week in front of the huge Blacklist Support Group banner.  

2. Article in today's Morning Star exposing the failure of the ECGR and British courts to protect blacklisted workers and challenging political parties to grant basic employment rights to all workers in the UK.   If workers rights cannot be protected by judges in the UK or the European Court of Human Rights, then it is time to change statutory legislation. 

http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/a-dc1a-No-blacklist-justice-for-Britains-agency-staff

3. In the same week as the ECHR ruling above, blacklisted electrician Frank Morris, is sacked again. This time on an NHS hospital. Let's hear candidates queue up to call for Frank Morris to be reinstated.  

Reel News video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iKhQdLpUm4&t=129s

4. Spycops

New 59 page ruling from the undercover police public inquiry. Releasing the cover names of undercover police officers who spied on activists is a 'priority' but Lord Justice Pitchford allows Met Police another 12 months extension to carry out 'risk assessments' in preparation for more anonymity applications.  But the police are not engaged in 'delaying tactics', oh no.

https://www.ucpi.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/20170502-ruling-MPS-applications-re-SDS.pdf

Victims boycott Scottish police internal investigation

http://campaignopposingpolicesurveillance.com/2017/05/03/spycops-victims-boycott-scottish-inquiry/

Scottish activist spied on by police seeks judicial review to win a Scottish inquiry

https://www.crowdjustice.com/case/undercover-policing-scotland/

Other than John McDonnell and Jenny Jones, most politicians have been surprisingly quiet about the spycops scandal. 

5. May Day greetings from the Blacklist Support Group to all sisters, brothers & comrades fighting for their rights around the globe.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sh6vCsfaKWU&t=3s

6. Dates for the diary:

Friday 5th May - Blacklisted worker turned academic Dr Jack Fawbert speaking on Corporate Crime 7 Blacklisting at Anglia ruskin University in Cambridge 

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/anglia-ruskin-university-community-engagement-1110250731

22nd May - Last day to register to vote in General Election

https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

7. And finally:

Congratulations to the blacklisted workers and rank & file activists elected to represent construction on the UNITE Executive Council Frank Morris, Royston Bentham, Tony Seaman & Joseph Pisano

Blacklist Support Group

Blacklist Support Group Report

1. Blacklisting debate in Westminster parliament
Well done Chuka Umunna for using a Westminster debate in parliament to
call for a public inquiry into the blacklisting scandal

Blacklist Support Group hold their head in shame after being praised
by a Tory government minister

Full transcript: http://myparliament.info/Debates/Commons/2017-02-08/18857
http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/a-a586-Ministers-reject-latest-calls-for-blacklisting-probe#.WK75MTKcbeR
http://leftfootforward.org/2017/02/unite-backs-chuka-umunnas-call-for-blacklisting-public-inquiry/

ETUC calls for more legal protection on blacklisting:
https://www.etuc.org/documents/whistleblowing-and-protection-blacklisting#.WK78ezKcbeS

2. Haringey council protests
Huge demonstrations organized by unions and community groups took
place last week in the London Borough of Haringey against the decision
by the council to work with the blacklisting firm Lend Lease
(previously Bovis) in a £2billion regeneration scheme. Blacklisted
bricklayer and Tottenham resident Keith Dobie spoke on behalf  the BSG
reminding councillors how their new corporate partner had a history of
blacklisting back as far as the Economic League but more recently in
Australia their anti-union antics saw trade unionists threatened with
jail for peaceful picketing, including the friend and comrade of the
BSG, Bob Carnegie
http://www.itfglobal.org/en/news-events/press-releases/2013/february/bob-carnegie-case-itf-statement/
http://www.housingexcellence.co.uk/news/gmb-union-slams-haringey’s-“reckless-privatisation”-plan-ahead-critical-council-meeting-protest
https://socialistworker.co.uk/art/40014/Haringey+march+against+re+development
http://www.24housing.co.uk/news/haringey-council-tenants-protest-against-social-cleansing/

3. Spycops
Powerful new spycops film (very short):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uas6uAxbhEg&feature=youtu.be

Met Police destroy evidence and ask for further delays to Pitchford
public inquiry into undercover policing
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/feb/08/inquiry-over-met-police-intelligence-unit-claimed-to-have-destroyed-files?CMP=share_btn_twhttp://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/a-8404-Unions-fight-to-expose-Mets-dirty-secrets#.WKLlWZHfWhA
http://campaignopposingpolicesurveillance.com/2017/02/13/union-leaders-call-hogan-howe-explain-shredding/https://undercoverinfo.wordpress.com/2017/02/13/destruction-of-political-policing-files-goes-back-decades-will-the-met-face-charges/
http://www.union-news.co.uk/unions-call-for-fresh-enquiry-into-how-spy-cop-evidence-disappeared/
https://jennyjones.org/2017/02/06/are-the-police-spying-on-the-witnesses-at-the-inquiry-about-them-spying-on-people/http://www.gmb.org.uk/newsroom/GMB-slams-met
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-38984140
http://realmedia.press/law-unto-spycops-miscarriages-justice/
http://www.hackneygazette.co.uk/news/politics/colin_roach_centre_dalston_activist_duped_into_relationship_with_undercover_cop_hits_out_as_police_destroy_evidence_1_4884171

Spycops in Ireland
Paul Murphy TD names UK spycops operating in the Republic during
debate in Irish parliament:
Video:  https://www.facebook.com/paulmurphytd/videos/1255015057920232/
Victory for campaigners in Northern Ireland court:
http://www.itv.com/news/utv/2017-02-07/undercover-officers-linked-to-two-ni-murders/
http://www.rte.ie/news/2017/0207/850802-undercover-northern-ireland/

4. Shrewsbury Pickets & Grunwick
John Pilger documentary (1975) about UK conspiracy laws used to clamp
down on dissent especially in Shrewsbury trial.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFDJW46YfEI&feature=youtu.be
Grunwick: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/undercover-with-paul-lewis-and-rob-evans/2017/feb/06/covert-infiltration-of-key-strike-to-be-examined-at-public-meeting-next-week?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Copy_to_clipboard

5. Employment rights legal victory
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-38931211

6. Blacklisted workers take on Paul Nutall in Stoke
Blacklist Support Group went on the campaign trail against the UKIP
fantasist Paul Nuttall in Stoke this week - Lee Fowler and Jimi Kindri
representing
Roy Bentham interview
https://socialistworker.co.uk/art/44110/Racist%2C+lying+bandwagon+jumper+Nuttall+should+have+stayed+at+Tranmere+Rovers

5. Dates for the diary where Blacklist Support Group will be attending
with our banners:
Save the NHS national demo - London
Sat 4th March

Orgreave - Make Some Noise demo (flyer attached)
2pm Monday 13th March

Durham TAs strike - Solidarity Day
Sat 25th March

Spycops protest - Royal Courts of Justice
Wed 5th April

DCI Gordon Mills Sues GMB Union

Blacklist News:

1. Compensation is not the same as Justice

http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/a-a666-Compensation-could-never-equal-justice#.V_4bC_krLs2

2. DCI Gordon Mills sues GMB

The senior police officer who gave the PowerPoint presentation at a Consulting Association meeting to senior executives of blacklisting construction companies is suing the GMB union for defamation. You couldn't make it up!  

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/oct/10/former-police-officer-suing-gmb-trade-union-for-defamation

http://www.policeprofessional.com/news.aspx?id=27378

3. Ricky Tomlinson at COPS meeting 

Jailed Shrewsbury picket turned national treasure Ricky Tomlinson spoke at a packed out Campaign Opposing Police Surveillance (COPS) public meeting on Monday night. He talked about the conspiracy between building employers and the state that resulted in his imprisonment and the chemically induced Parkinson' Disease that killed his friend Des Warren. Over 40 years after the events, the Home Secretary still refuses to release the official government papers in order to cover up the involvement of undercover police and the security services in the 1972 building workers strike and the Shrewsbury trial. Ricky shared the platform with 'Lisa', a female activist who had a long term relationship with the undercover police officer Mark Kennedy, Duwayne Brooks, friend of Stephen Lawrence and witness at his murder and lawyer Tamsin Allen.  https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/undercover-with-paul-lewis-and-rob-evans/2016/oct/05/duwayne-brooks-ricky-tomlinson-and-lisa-jones-to-tell-how-police-spied-on-them

https://onesmallwindow.wordpress.com/2016/10/11/spy-cops-watching-me-watching-you/

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/nov/20/lisa-jones-girlfriend-of-undercover-police-office-mark-kennedy-interview

4. COPS Scotland launched

https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/local/dundee/296366/calls-for-police-spy-inquiry-to-include-scotland/

https://theferret.scot/review-of-secret-police-condemned-as-an-insult-and-whitewash/

5. House of Lords 

Baroness Jenny Jones put down a question in the House of Lords on Monday after consultation with me & Phil and relating to the whole police spying on trade unions issue. Below:

"To ask Her Majesty's Government, what plans they have to strengthen provisions in the Investigatory Powers Bill to give sufficient protection to data relating to trade union and political activities?"

Unsurprisingly, the Tory government are not intending to make any changes. 

6. Police spying on unions during News International dispute

http://www.unitetheunion.org/how-we-help/listofregions/scotland/latestnews/union-leader-calls-for-inquiry-into-policing-during-historic-newspaper-strike/

7. Andy Higgins R.I.P.

Details of funeral
11am Friday 21st October 2016
St. Marylebone Crematorium
East End Road
Finchley
N2 0RZ

Wake: 
The Boston Arms
178 Junction Road
N19 5QQ

Message from Construction Safety Campaign: 

Andy Higgins died on 17th September age 86.
Andy Higgins member of UCATT, previously a member of its London regional council and branch secretary. He dedicated his life to fighting for all those whom faced oppression. Having left Ireland to come to Britain at the age of 17. He went on to become a Carpenter Joiner working in many parts of the country. Andy alongside other Irish construction workers were in their
early years very involved with the Construction Safety Campaign (CSC) and also involved in the 1960-70s civil rights movement carried out by Connolly Association in the UK. Andy was one of the leading campaigners that successfully exposed the establishment lies which led to the Birmingham Six convictions being overturned and them being released from prison. From the
1960s up to before his death he continued to be involved in all the major worker's battles, in particular the 1972 Building Workers Strike. Andy was also a great singer and dancer. In 1988 when the Construction Safety Campaign was founded he became its National Treasurer and held this position up until early this year. He didn't just do the important paperwork needed as treasurer as he was a major figure in galvanizing construction workers to support all our activities. He was a very important part of what the CSC achieved. 
Condolences go to Teresa Andy's wife and family.
In preference to floral tributes Andy would have appreciated a donation to The Morning Star or The Construction Safety Campaign.

8. Thanks for the invites:

GMB Justice conference Liverpool, Institute of Employment Rights Liverpool, North West Labour Film Festival Liverpool and Orgreave Truth & Justice confernce

Roy Bentham, Tony Sweeney and Dave Smith representing 

https://www.facebook.com/GMBNWItradeunion/

http://www.ier.org.uk/events/health-and-safety-update-2016-liverpool

http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/orgreave-campaigners-to-hold-sheffield-conference-1-8147451

https://www.tuc.org.uk/sites/default/files/NWFF16_Postcard_A6_310816_v2_WR.pdf

9. Blacklisted book

Thank You to UNITE Liverpool Construction branch, UNITE Middlesborough construction branch, NW&I region GMB for purchasing bulk orders 50 copies each of the updated edition of Blacklisted book. 

Bulk orders of the book for union branches receive a reduced rate and are available directly from the publishers: Dan at New Internationalist danrb@newint.org

10. Blacklisting coming up soon at:

Sat 15th Oct  - CWU Youth event - Sheffield 

Sat 15th Oct - Lucy Parker at Equity - The Old Vic, London https://vimeo.com/177553232

Tues 18th Oct - Institute of Employment Rights - London 

Sat 29th October - The new 'Blacklisted' film at the London Anarchist Bookfair https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNcgrNs6pB8

11. Labour Party Conference in Liverpool

Jeremy Corbyn states support for full inquiries into justice campaigns including blacklisting, Orgreave and Shrewsbury in his keynote speech. 

John McDonnell co-founder of the BSG attended the Liverpool v Hull match where a banner was unfurled on behalf of those justice campaigns with our collective support being reaffirmed for Corbyn after his reelection as leader of the Party

http://www.itv.com/news/granada/update/2016-09-24/fans-to-unfurl-corbyn-banner-on-the-kop/

Blacklist Support Group

book: http://newint.org/books/politics/blacklisted-secret-war/

video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNcgrNs6pB8

facebook: http://www.facebook.com/groups/blacklistSG/

blog: www.hazards.org/blacklistblog

Whistle-blower Breaks Silence on Freedom!

by antigr0up on 18/06/16:

'A tenant acting as proxy for Andy's (Meike's) machinations (who pay little or nothing to Freedom) have sickened Richard Parry from staying? A pyrrhic victory. *slow hand clap* Unless Freedom can establish a viable financial plan Freedom will either fold or be forced to move to smaller premises within two or three years -which means the tenants are fucked. What's more the Freedom collective and their tenants have only themselves to blame. on FREEDOM - 'A Mausoleum'!'

Editor's Reply:

Yesterday, I was told that a couple of months ago buyer for 84B, Whitechapel High Street, had been round to the Freedom Bookshop to view the Freedom premises, and had been turned away by someone in the Bookshop.  Could it have been the Laughing Policeman?  If so, it has serious implications for everyone involved.  It would seem that the tenants are on a dodgy wicket here with the shakey situation over the rents (paid or unpaid), and even the Friends seem to have been asleep on the job.  Increasingly, it is looking like there could be tears before midnight unless the Friends clean-up their act and apply themselves to the task of carrying out what is required of them in the Articles of Association.  That is the simply reasoning behind the program of Our Friends in the North. 

Blacklist Firms Oppose Expert Witness!

1. High Court blacklisting litigation saw a 2 day hearing on Mon-Tues last week (7-8 Dec), with an additional evening session on Tuesday.  As the blacklisting firms have already admitted their guilt to the court, the entire 2 days was taken up with legal argument over the use of expert witnesses for calculating loss of earnings.

John Hendy QC told the court that the estimated total damages for the 600 claimants is in the region of £60-70million, made up of £40m in loss of earnings and £20-30m in general damages (defamation, human rights, hurt to feelings etc..).  Lawyers on behalf of blacklisted workers had applied to use the expertise of Dr Victoria Wass from Cardiff Business School, one of the leading labour market economists in the UK who has acted as an expert witness in numerous high profile cases in the past. 

The firms argued against the use of Dr. Wass, arguing that the 'regression analysis' that she was using was 'too complicated' and could not be fully understood by the court (even though virtually every university student in the world is taught regression analysis as a standard statistical tool nowadays).  Dr Wass is able to provide a high level of precision in her estimates of loss because she has restricted access to micro data from the Office of National Statistics labour market database. Without an ounce of irony, lawyers for the blacklisting companies, told the court that having access to the ONS personal sensitive information could potentially be a breach of human rights and data protection!  

In the end, Lord Supperstone and Master Leslie refused the claimants submission - once again, judges make findings in favour of big business and against the interests of blacklisted workers.  This may be a minor setback in a small skirmish but we are still going to win the war.  

The next provisional hearing date is 1st February 2016.  Full trial is set to start in May 2016 and will last 10 weeks. 

Blacklist Support Group would like to publicly thank the various legal teams for all the hard work they have carried out on our behalf over many years - its appreciated.  Special mention to Liam Dunne, who as the lead solicitor for Guney Clark & Ryan has been representing us since 2009, who has recently got married: Congratulations!  

 

2. John McDonnell, Shadow Chancellor was the keynote speaker at a packed Blacklist Support Group parliamentary meeting in Westminster on Monday 7th.  McDonnell raised a number of issues during his speech which will have major impact even before the election of a Corbyn government.  A few of John McDonnell's quotes from the meeting: 

'Blacklisting was a deliberate attempt to undermine trade unions by victimising a layer of activists they could not buy off Tony Benn, Jeremy Corbyn and myself put in amendments to legislation on the issue of blacklisting over a period of decades - no government took any notice.  We are currently drawing up advice for Labour councils over public procurement regarding blacklisting, human rights and environmental issues.  Company directors who orchestrated blacklisting conspiracy should have been sent to prison. Blacklisting should be made a criminal offence.  If we can have the Leveson inquiry into celebrities phones being hacked, then why can't there be a pubic inquiry into blacklisting?' 

These remarks could have immense significance for companies involved in blacklisting.  

John McDonnell was a founder member of the Blacklist Support Group who has stood with blacklisted workers on picket lines, in parliament and at our meetings ever since. We stand shoulder to shoulder with him against all the attacks from the mainstream media and are proud to call him a comrade.  

Also in attendance at the BSG meeting was Sir Bill Morris and speakers including Chris Stephens MP and blacklisted activist Helen Steel.  

The BSG parliamentary meeting voted unanimously that the apology given to the women activists by the Met Police should be used as a template for any future apology that blacklisted workers should expect from the blacklisting construction firms and that a representative of the BSG should be present at any ongoing talks where such matters are being discussed. 

3. Scotland 

Another speaker at the BSG parliamentary meeting was Chris Stephens MP for Glasgow South West (SNP trade union coordinator at Westminster). Stephens was questioned by many in the audience including UNITE EC member Frank Morris, over why blacklisting firms were still being awarded public contracts such as Dundee Riverside and ScotRail in Scotland, despite a Scottish government procurement note on the issue. Stephens gave positive assurances that behind the scenes, this were moving in the right direction and asked the audience to wait for a Scottish government announcement very soon. 

There have also been massive developments in Scotland over the past few weeks regarding the role of undercover police spying on trade unions and social justice activists.  The Pitchford inquiry into undercover policing has a strict remit which only allows investigation into the activities of the political policing units in England and Wales.  But following a UNITE the Union, meeting in the Scottish parliament 3 weeks ago, there have been a number of articles in the Scottish press calling for an inquiry into the role of the undercover police in Scotland. 

Blacklisted environmental activist Helen Steel was another speaker at the BSG meeting and she told how she was spied on by the undercover police officer John Dines when a member of London Greenpeace during the McLibel trial in the 1980s and how she had visited Scotland with the police spy.  Steel also called for the activities of the undercover police in Scotland to be fully investigated by Pitchford. 

Chris Stephens MP told the BSG meeting that he fully supported the call by BSG, Campaign Opposing Police Surveillance (COPS) for there to be a public inquiry into the activities of undercover police in Scotland. 

http://m.heraldscotland.com/news/14126896.Revealed__spying_unit_worked_with_Scottish_police/

http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/14142169.University_called_on_to_fire_former_police_sex_spy/?ref=mr&lp=4

http://campaignopposingpolicesurveillance.com/2015/12/14/activists-demand-lamberts-sacking/

4. Shrewsbury Pickets 

Previously undisclosed documents have been discovered proving that the former Conservative Prime Minister Ted Heath directly intervened in the Shrewsbury trial by supporting the role of the secret services in a hostile TV documentary be shown the night before the trial. 'This is the real conspiracy' as Des warren famously said from the dock on the day he was sent to prison.  The Shandow Home Secretary Andy Burnham raised the issue in parliament and demanded the release of all the undisclosed government documents relating to the Shrewsbury Pickets trial.  Great research work by Eileen Turnbull on behalf of the Shrewsbury 24.  The government still refuse to publish the papers: 42 years after the miscarriage of justice.    

http://www.tradeunionfreedom.co.uk/the-case-of-the-shrewsbury-24-parliament-tv/

http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/dec/05/ted-heath-used-tv-film-to-sway-jury-to-convict-building-strike-pickets

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-35047872?SThisFB

http://www.theguardian.com/law/2015/dec/09/andy-burnham-shrewsbury-24-papers-published-documents-unions

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/dec/07/shrewsbury-trials-1970s-trade-unionists-ricky-tomlinson-edward-heath

http://www.unitetheunion.org/news/shrewsbury-24-establishment-cover-up-needs-to-be-exposed-says-unite/

http://www.ucatt.org.uk/national-security-%E2%80%93-%E2%80%98my-arse%E2%80%99

5. Carillion 

Carillion have dropped their claim for £3500 worth of legal costs against blacklisted engineer Dave Smith - great investigative journalism by Mark Metcalf who knew before we did! Despite an apology to the High Court, Carillion continue to bad mouth Smith on their corporate website viewed by millions globally. Some apology! 

http://www.bigissuenorth.com/2015/12/blacklisting-costs-claim/16270

http://employmentwrites.com/index.php/2015/12/12/carillion-drops-blacklisting-costs-claim/

6. MUA 

Dave Smith report: 'It was my honour to represent the Blacklist Support Group at the inaugural conference of the Maritime Union of Australia Queensland in Brisbane, Australia. Many BSG supporters will remember Bob Carnegie​ who toured the UK this summer, who has just been elected as MUA secretary in Queensland and made the very generous offer.  The MUA are one of the most leftwing unions, alongside CFMEU and ETU provide the blue collar militancy that Australian unions are famous for worldwide. Activists from the ITF and the rank & file IDC were present and told stories of solidarity, heroism against police racism and internationalism.  I spoke about blacklisting, safety and had the privilege to join Brisbane River Ferry workers on protected industrial action.  I also met the crew of Fijian seafarers who had been knocked for wages who were occupying a ship who face being deported and a detention centre for standing up for their rights.  Solidarity to Bob Carnegie and all the comrades at MUA.' 

http://www.mua.org.au/educate_agitate_and_organise_inaugural_queensland_conference

7. Orgreave 

See below video in support of the Orgreave Truth & Justice Campaign calling for a full public inquiry into the events at Orgreave during the Miners Strike - another disgraceful example of the British state attack on working people prepared to stand p for their rights. 

https://vimeo.com/148549592

7. Glen Hart

RMT rep Glen Hart is being victimised by London Underground Limited - support his fight for union rights 

http://www.rmtlondoncalling.org.uk/content/defend-glen-hart-demo-clapham-common-station-91215-0800

8. Merry Xmas and festive greetings to all our friends and supporters around the world from the Blacklist Support Group. 

We are in touching distance of a famous victory for the trade union movement - we could not have achieved it on our own. 

Thank You for all your support over the years.   

CHRISTMAS ON THE BLACKLIST

by Time Served Jib Electrician
I stood up for my rights,
My workmates and my brothers,
On bleak construction sites,
I always shone a light,
For safety, and for others,
All these working men,
Have sisters, have mothers,
No work, my back a knife,
What will I tell the missus,
I'm blacklisted for life,
And not just for Christmas.

Police Surveillance & Pitchford Inquiry

THE Blacklist Support Group (BSG) has made a formal submission to the Home Office with suggested Terms of Reference for the Pitchford Inquiry into undercover policing, calling for the judge led inquiry to investigate police surveillance of trade union members. The Pitchford Inquiry was set up by Teresa May before the General Election, in response to revelations that undercover police units spied on bereaved relatives of murder victims, including the Stephen Lawrence family and had long term sexual relationships with women activists they were spying on. BSG are being legally represented by the prominent human rights solicitor Imran Khan, who has supported the blacklisted construction workers since presenting an IPCC complaint about police collusion in blacklisting back in 2012. Imran Khan is also representing Doreen Lawrence in the Pitchford Inquiry. The deadline for such submission is tomorrow (Wednesday 24th June) and the final remit is expected to be published by the end of July.

Proposed Terms of Reference for the Public Inquiry into Undercover policing from the Blacklist Support Group:

 

"To inquire into and make recommendations as to the role, conduct and governance of the police service and her majesty’s Government in the establishment and deployment of undercover and covert operations, with specific regard to the Special Demonstration Squad, National Extremism Tactical Coordination Unit and any other similar units in the police and in particular, to consider: 

• The surveillance of trade union activists and trade union supported campaigns;
• The provision of information by the police, whether directly or indirectly, of information contained on databases they have access to, to businesses about prospective employees;
• The collusion, specifically with the Economic League and the Consulting Association and any other similar organisations, in the blacklisting of trade union members;
• The outsourcing of state surveillance operations to private contractors;
• The level and degree of political oversight into the above operations;
• The extent to which the police were assisted in the above operations by the security services;
• The circumstances of, and the reasons for, the loss, destruction and /or unavailability of documentation with regard to the matters above.

The Inquiry will also consider how to fulfill the objectives set out in these Terms of Reference by considering, in particular, the:

• Extent and degree of protection from prosecution, under the Official Secrets Act or any other relevant legislation, of any witnesses giving information / evidence including whistleblowers;
• Extent and degree to which the police's stated position of 'Neither Confirm Nor Deny' affects a transparent and thorough investigation into the matters set out above". 

The covering letter to the Home Office from Imran Khan states:

"In 2009, following a raid by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) at premises connected to The Consulting Association (hereinafter “TCA”), it was discovered that there was a database of secret files kept on 3123 trade union activists by some of the largest multi-national building firms in the UK.  The database was used to deny trade union activists work on major projects and was a continuation of a process that had been previously conducted by the Services Group within an organisation called the Economic League. There is prima facie evidence that some of the information on the database originated from or was provided by the police. Given this, a complaint was lodged with the Independent Police Complaint Commission (hereinafter IPCC) whose initial scoping of the complaint confirmed that “every Special Branch in the country routinely provided information about prospective employees”. 

In addition to the trade union members, around 200 environmental and social justice activists also appear on the blacklist, including some of the women spied on by the undercover police that led to the inquiry to be set up. 

Dave Smith, BSG secretary commented:

"3 years ago, when the BSG started talking about the police colluding with big business to spy on trade union members, people looked at us as if we were paranoid conspiracy theorists. But we refused to let it lie and now the evidence is beyond dispute: senior police officers were actively participating with the Consulting Association blacklisting operation. Trade unions are a perfectly legal part of civil society. Why are we being infiltrated by undercover police units and why is the state sharing intelligence with big business?  

It is only because we were prepared to kick up a stink that the evidence about police collusion has slowly come to light. We now call upon the Pitchford Inquiry to carry out a thorough and transparent investigation into the out of control anti-democratic practices of these secret political police units. A first step would be for the Inquiry to be given a wide enough remit to uncover the truth, rather than being so narrowly defined that we get another establishment whitewash"  

Imran Khan commented:

“It is extremely sad to note that it often takes many years, grave injustices and tenacious individuals to uncover discreditable conduct in society. Those involved in the BSG have been bearing the brunt of severe injustices for a long time. Their hardship in doing so has not diminished their tenacity in seeking to throw light on this most murky of worlds. The Public Inquiry to be chaired by Lord Justice Pitchford will give the BSG the opportunity to not only uncover what happened to them but also ensure that the general public finally hears what went on and that the conduct complained of never happens again.”

 

John McDonnell MP, who has championed the cause of blacklisted workers in parliament commented:

“Thousands of innocent trade unionists and their families have suffered at the hands of blacklisting companies. They deserve a thorough and open inquiry to bring out the truth of how they were victimised and harmed by blacklisting.”

Select Committee on Compensation Con!

1. Select Committee publishes final damning report into blacklisting

The Scottish Affairs Select Committee have published a final report that is absolutely damning of the construction firms involved in blacklisting and their compensation scheme. BSG wish to put on record once again our genuine appreciation for the tremendous work Ian Davidson and all the other MPs on the committee have carried out on behalf of blacklisted workers over the past 3 years.

http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/scottish-affairs-committee/news/blacklisting-final-report-published/

http://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/mar/27/mps-slam-construction-firms-over-compensation-for-blacklisted-workers

http://news.stv.tv/scotland/315249-mps-highly-critical-of-building-firms-over-blacklist-compensation/

http://m.building.co.uk/5074634.article?mobilesite=enabled

http://www.irishtimes.com/business/construction/firms-accused-of-callous-treatment-of-workers-1.2155136

2. Public Inquiry - Blacklisting / Undercover police

http://www.parliament.uk/edm/2014-15/899

http://www.ucatt.org.uk/ucatt-parliamentary-reception-great-success

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/mar/25/police-spied-on-labour-mps-whistleblower

http://www.cwu.org/news/archive/edm-calls-for-inquiry-into-blacklisting.html#.VRVHcSB6m3Y.twitter

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/mar/25/guardian-view-surveillance-mps-dont-confuse-dissent-crime?CMP=share_btn_tw

http://undercoverresearch.net/2015/03/26/558/

http://www.ucatt.org.uk/inquiry-undercover-policing-should-shine-light-blacklisting-and-union-infiltration

http://campaignopposingpolicesurveillance.com/2015/03/18/petition-protection-for-spycops-whistleblowers/

During the debate in House of Commons about police spying on MPs & activists, Home Office Minister Mike Penning confirmed the whistleblowers would be exempted from Official Secrets Act if they give evidence at #spycops public inquiry. This is a massive step forward and hopefully will spur on Peter Francis and other police whistleblowers to come forward.

3. Crossrail sackings & arrests

http://shopstewards.net/2015/03/interview-with-sacked-crossrail-worker/

http://morningstaronline.co.uk/a-c341-Sacked-Crossrail-worker-confronts-goof-Johnson#.VRMJ6mZQMl4

http://shopstewards.net/2015/03/nssn-235-reinstate-sacked-crossrail-workers-defend-anti-blacklist-campaigner/

Crossrail arrest: Statement from Blacklist Support Group secretary

Protests on Crossrail have been temporarily suspended to allow a window for negotiations between UNITE and the Skanska- Costain joint venture.
Dave Smith was in Court today. The full trial is set for July 23rd at City of London Magistrates Court.

 

4. Blacklisted book

http://www.unitetheunion.org/growing-our-union/education/bookofthemonth/april-2015/

https://www.nuj.org.uk/news/blacklisting-the-next-chapter-is-waiting-to-be-written/

http://writemark.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/blacklisted-secret-war-between-big.html

5. Blacklist Support Group will be promoting the Blacklisted book at various events throughout the summer including CWU, PCS, FBU, GMB conference.

Undercover Spy Confesses!

1. ex-Undercover cop admits spying on trade unions:

On the same day that Teresa May announced a public inquiry into undercover policing, Peter Francis, ex-Special Demonstration Squad police officer turned whistleblower has admitted spying on several trade unions. This came in a written statement that was read out by John McDonnell MP during the parliamentary book launch event for the 'Blacklisted' book. This has created considerable media interest and outrage from trade unions. Politicians have so far kept very quiet on the matter.

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/undercover-with-paul-lewis-and-rob-evans/2015/mar/13/covert-police-unit-spied-on-trade-union-members-whistleblower-reveals

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/undercover-with-paul-lewis-and-rob-evans/2015/mar/13/ex-undercover-officer-reveals-that-covert-police-unit-spied-on-trade-union-members-full-statement?CMP=share_btn_tw

http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/a-3c0f-EX-SPY-COPPER-ADMITS-UNION-INFILTRATIONS#.VQRNbcMgGrU

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/police-spying-whistleblower-admits-mps-5329601

http://www.gmb.org.uk/newsroom/probe-police-spying-on-unions

http://usilive.org/undercover-cop-admits-spying-on-six-unions/

http://www.ucatt.org.uk/inquiry-undercover-policing-should-shine-light-blacklisting-and-union-infiltration

http://www.cwu.org/news/archive/cwu-members-victims-of-blacklisting.html 

BSG fully supports the Campaign Opposing Police Surveillance (COPS) and welcome the Teresa May announcement of a public inquiry into police spying. BSG demand that blacklisting is part of the inquiry, the full remit should only be decided after consultation with the victims of police spying. BSG also support the call for Peter Francis and other police whistleblowers to be exempted from the Official Secrets Act when they give evidence in court or in any public inquiry. The OSA is being used by the police in order to cover up the scandal.

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/undercover-with-paul-lewis-and-rob-evans/2015/mar/16/whistleblowers-must-be-protected-and-allowed-to-speak-out-about-undercover-spies-say-campaigners?CMP=share_btn_tw

http://campaignopposingpolicesurveillance.com/2015/03/12/police-spying-public-inquiry-announced/

https://www.facebook.com/policespiesoutoflives 

2. Crossrail safety sackings

Several workers have been seriously injured on Crossrail. One worker has been killed after being crush when a tonne of concrete fell on him. The inquest jury returned a narrative verdict that identifies a lack of a barrier as one of the contributory factors in his death. Yet union members who have raised safety concerns on the project have been dismissed. At the Bond Street station, the main contractors responsible for the dismissal are the blacklisting firms Costain and Skanska. Blacklist Support Group and Construction Rank & File have launched a campaign to get the sacked electrician reinstated. BSG appeal to as many supporters as possible to attend the protest this Wednesday evening against the Crossrail safety sackings. This is important.

6pm Wed 18th March

Construction News Awards

Hilton Hotel

Park Lane

London

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5_cvh7A4aM

http://uniteresist.org/2015/03/campaign-launched-over-crossfail-construction-site-sackings/

http://uniteresist.org/2015/03/escalation-of-crossfail-campaign-over-health-and-safety-sackings/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekkSIJez_vA&feature=share 

3. Blacklisted book in the Westminster and Scottish parliament - now making the media

http://thejusticegap.com/2015/03/blacklisted-the-secret-war-between-big-business-and-union-activists/

http://www.vice.com/en_uk/read/blacklisted-james-poulter-192

http://socialistunity.com/blacklisted-the-secret-war-against-trade-unionists/

Pix from book launch: https://www.flickr.com/photos/60718029@N06/sets/72157650928938818/

http://londoncentrical.photoshelter.com/#!/portfolio/C0000Ic7hpkZ04lI/G0000RUelI9N8TXs/I0000qxvy3Wi6Q1Y

For more pix search: #blacklistedbook on social media  

Motion Number: S4M-12653 submitted to the Scottish Parliament by Neil Findlay MSP

Date Lodged: 12/03/2015

Title: Launch of 'Blacklisted' the Book
Motion Text:
That the Parliament welcomes the launch on 12 March 2015 in the House of Commons of the book, Blacklisted, by Dave Smith and Phil Chamberlain; notes that the book exposes what it argues is an illegal blacklisting scandal orchestrated by some of the largest multinational construction companies in the UK; understands that it uncovers previously unseen documentary evidence about the role of undercover police spying units in colluding with this and exposes the way in which ordinary men and women were believed to be systematically denied employment simply for standing up for their basic rights, and further understands that across Scotland and the rest of the UK these companies are still being awarded publicly-funded contracts despite never admitting wrongdoing nor apologising and paying compensation to the workers affected.

 

4. Teeside action to defend collective bargaining agreements

http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teesside-news/heated-public-meeting-over-lack-8467404

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tees-31586710

https://www.facebook.com/teesside.activists

5. Welsh Assembly moves to ban umbrella companies on public contracts

http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2015/03/12/welsh-slap-ban-on-umbrella-payroll-firms/

http://www.ucatt.org.uk/wales-government-takes-fresh-action-against-umbrella-companies

6. AOB

http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/a-9b9f-BLACKLISTING-BIGWIG-BOOTED-OUT-OF-UNI-JOB#.VQKjS3YgHCR

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-9BnbYzBpM&list=PL9lNl_udnEC2dzRVOp_NHirrRus4WN9ob&index=3

Blacklist Support Group

book: http://newint.org/books/politics/blacklisted-secret-war/

video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlCa8yQmZ70

blog: www.hazards.org/blacklistblog

facebook: http://www.facebook.com/groups/blacklistSG/

Met. Police Refuse to confirm or deny spying

CAMPAIGNERS against the construction industry blacklist have reacted with anger after the Metropolitan Police (MPS) refused to 'neither confirm no deny' (NCND) whether the Blacklist Support Group is under surveillance by undercover police units including Special Branch. The statement from the MPS came in a response to a Freedom of Information request on 9th October 2014 sent to investigative journalist Phil Chamberlain. The Metropolitan Police Service chose to justify their stance by quoting Section 24(2) claiming that it was in the 'public interest' for them to refuse to 'confirm or deny in order to safeguard national security'.

It was been confirmed in a Select Committee investigation that the undercover police unit known as the National Extremism Tactical Coordination Unit (NETCU) attended and gave Powerpoint presentations to meetings of the Consulting Association blacklisting organisation. The MPS letter identifies the guidance on this issue as follows:

'IF ASKED: is it true that NETCU shared information with the Consulting Association?

We do not discuss matters of intelligence'.

Supt Steve Pearl, who ran NECTU, is now a director at Agenda Security Services, which provides employment vetting services. His former boss, ex-Assistant chief Constable Anton Setchell was the senior police officer in charge of the entire UK police’s domestic extremism machinery between 2004 and 2010 is currently head of global security at Laing O’Rourke – one of the construction companies which was a Consulting Association member.

 

The Police are under no legal obligation to adopt a NCND defence, as the Freedom of Information Act allows for statement confirming or denying for public interest reasons, where it may:
'inform issues that are currently the subject of public debate in relation to government surveillance and improve the quality and accuracy of public debate, which may otherwise be steeped in rumour and speculation'

Given the huge public interest in the undercover police surveillance of women activists deliberately targeted by officers from the Special Demonstration Squad and other secret political police units, it seems a difficult decision to justify. The NCND defence adopted by the MPS in relation to the women activists was defeated in the High Court in September. Some of the women activists currently suing the Metropolitan Police themselves appear on the Consulting Association blacklist.

The Met. Police Service letter admits:

'legitimate public interest in informing public debate in relation to issues surrounding surveillance tactics' and notes that 'the Blacklist Support Group and the wider issues regarding the practice of blacklisting'  but still adopted a NCND stance.

A number of blacklist activists, including Blacklist Support Group secretary Dave Smith have been refused copies of their own personal police files made under Subject Access Requests on the basis that providing the documents may jeopardise ongoing criminal investigations.

Smith responded to the latest Met Police statement:

'It is without doubt that the police and security services are spying on trade unionists fighting for justice on the issue of blacklisting.  They have colluded with big business to deliberately target trade unionism over decades. Shrewsbury, Orgreave, Blacklisting; the list goes on and on.  The refusal to provide any information whatsoever smacks of an establishment cover-up.  Blacklisting is no longer an industrial relations issue: it is a human rights conspiracy.' 

Lawyers working for the Blacklist Support Group have submitted a complaint to the Internal Police Complaints Council about the role of the police in blacklisting. Despite accusations of an establishment cover-up, even the police were forced to admit the flow of information was not purely one way.

 

Sarah McSherry, solicitor from Imran Khan and Partners said:

'While correspondence from the police in relation to this complaint continually raises concerns about the quality of their investigation, it is interesting to note that they confirm that they have identified a potential “flow of information between Special Branch and the construction industry'.