UK UK Newswire Archive
First report into undercover policing: "whitewash"
08-12-2011 22:55
The first of twelve official reports resulting from the public outing of undercover police officer Mark Kennedy and the subsequent collapse of the trials of 26 climate change activists has been published. The report claims that there was no “dishonest withholding of information” and no “systemic” failings, a conclusion the CPS have been happy to repeat. Critics of the report have dismissed it as a “whitewash.”
On the newswire: Further police evidence shocks ‘to come to light’ | Police under fire .. collapse of eco-protest trial | Rose Report on the Ratcliffe Trial | CPS report on Ratcliffe Power Station Case | Report into Mark Kennedy’s secret tapes published
Previous features: Undercover police officer back in the spotlight
In January, the trial against six activists accused of planning to invade Ratcliffe Power Station in 2009 collapsed as the involvement of Mark Kennedy/Stone became public. In July, a further twenty activists convicted of the same offence during a trial late last year, had their convictions quashed on appeal.
In June 2011, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Keir Starmer, was forced to establish an independent inquiry after allegations that the CPS had supressed evidence. The CPS' preferred option of an internal inquiry no longer being tenable. In July, Starmer, asked the retired Court of Appeal Judge and Chief Surveillance Commissioner, Sir Christopher Rose, to conduct the inquiry.
The CPS have seized on Rose’s conclusion that they "did not deliberately withhold information,” and that “the failings were individual, not systemic." On Tuesday, when the report was released, Starmer went on a tour of the TV studios parroting this line, insisting that Rose’s finding that there was no "systemic" problem meant that a more extensive investigation was unnecessary. Senior prosecutor Ian Cunningham appears to have been selected as the fall guy and is reportedly facing disciplinary action and perhaps even dismissal following the publication of the report.
Many people are unconvinced by the narrative being pushed by the CPS. Ben Stewart one of the defendants whose convictions was quashed earlier this year dismissed the inquiry as the “whitest of whitewashes”. Michael Schwarz, a solicitor at Bindmans, who represented several of the defendants in the trial, told reporters that the findings represented an "almost pathological failure" to address systemic problems." He described it as "unacceptable that the CPS should produce the Rose report to hide behind. Rose’s report simply fails because it was programmed to fail."
Schwarz believes that the problem could be far wider than Rose’s report alleges. There were already two known incidents when undercover officers Jim Boyling and Bob Lambert were allegedly tried under false names. Schwarz has now revealed that Jim Boyling also offered to give evidence under his false name in another case from the 1990s, ironically one in which Starmer was the barrister for the defence.
Additionally, he told reporters: "We know – and put before the Court of Appeal – at least two other unrelated cases where concerns were expressed by the Crown Court about Notts CPS’ compliance with its legal obligations of disclosure." The Rose report was not asked to and does not deal with these other concerns and, therefore, Schwarz argues, "It cannot purport to be a proper inquiry into the health even of that regional CPS office. In fact, there is a significant amount of evidence pointing towards there being systemic problems within the CPS."
Even on the report’s own terms, Rose has to concede that it ontains serious weaknesses: "Contemporaneous documentation, by the police and the CPS, is lacking in a number of instances." He also notes that none of the people from whom "derived information, orally or in writing… has been subjected to cross-examination as would have occurred in a trial.” Rose concedes that there is a "possibility that they may wish to serve their own by being less than candid" (i.e. lie). He seems to believe he has accounted for this possibility. People will come to their own conclusions as to whether this is accurate or not.
The numerous problems with the report and its many gaps will only be grist for the mill for those calling for a genuinely independent, open judge-led inquiry into all aspects of undercover policing.
Campaign to save Edinburgh’s Leith Waterworld gains momentum
08-12-2011 22:55
With just 30 days to go before the planned closure of the capital’s popular Leith Waterworld pool, the residents’ campaign to save it is rapidly gaining momentum.
Glasgow Anarchist Fair Sat 10th Dec. 10.30am – 11pm
08-12-2011 21:09
There will be hot food available between 12.30 and 13.30 and between 18.00 and 19.00.We can always do with more volunteers to help on the day, with setting up and clearing up, stewarding and to help with the Kids Space.
Occupy Birmingham University Press Release
08-12-2011 21:05
Hot on the heels of this story, Occupy Birmingham have released the following statement in support of protesting Birmingham Uni students to the national media.Full article | 2 additions | 1 comment
Photos from Court: Census refuser cases, Liverpool
08-12-2011 21:00
University of Birmingham gets injunction to stop occupation-style protests
08-12-2011 20:56
Nottingham student seeks apology from the police
08-12-2011 20:55
Nottingham student seeks apology and compensation from the police
The National Union of Journalists has just issued this press release:
The National Union of Journalists is demanding an apology from Nottinghamshire police after a film was seized from a student photographer.
Today, the NUJ has written to Nottinghamshire's chief constable Julia Hodson calling for the apology to be made in person to 20-year-old Lewis Stainer, a student at New College in Nottingham.
Last Friday he was given back his film after it was seized on Monday 21st November by the police for evidential reasons. Lewis had been filming in the old Market Square for his course project when police made four arrests at the Occupy Nottingham camp. Subsequently two people were charged with offences.
National officials of the NUJ have also decided today to give Lewis Stainer legal support while the union's legal officers carry out a full investigation into the incident. Lewis who's studying a BTech in TV and Film says he wants an apology as well as compensation for the stress and inconvenience he experienced in having his course work seized.
The union is increasingly unhappy at the number of problems involving photographers across the country.
Diana Peasey, chair of the Nottingham NUJ branch said we know photographers are under increasing pressure here. They're often told they can't photograph crime scenes or face having their camera or film seized by police under section 19 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984. It is done all too frequently.'
'We have our own Police and Media guidelines which the NUJ negotiated with the Nottinghamshire police. Section 7 says specifically:
'Police officers do not have the authority to prevent a person taking a photograph or to confiscate cameras or film and such conduct could result in criminal, civil, or disciplinary act.'
Ms Peasey said "It is clear that the PACE legislation is overriding the Media guidelines and we need to toughen them up to ensure that the police understand they cannot intimidate photographers and journalists at crime scenes or major incidents."
Meanwhile, Nottinghamshire Constabulary's Complaints and Misconduct unit is also looking into the incident.
Student Photographer's material taken by police
http://nottingham.indymedia.org/articles/2191
Nottingham Student photographer interviews on tape still held
http://nottingham.indymedia.org/articles/2220
Nottingham Student photographer hassled by Notts Police [Feature]
http://nottingham.indymedia.org/articles/2238
Nottingham Media Student gets his seized tape back
http://nottingham.indymedia.org/articles/2239
National Union of Journalists NUJ
http://www.nuj.org.uk
Paralympic Protest – Atos Out of the Olympics!
08-12-2011 18:55
A small but committed protest braved the weather and demonstrated outside the Paralympic Goalball test event last Saturday December 3rd. A large banner reading ‘Atos Kills’ was unfurled outside the entrance to the Olympic Park, whilst protesters made speeches and handed out leaflets, resplendent in their newly printed Atos Kills T Shirts.
A small but committed protest braved the weather and demonstrated outside the Paralympic Goalball test event last Saturday December 3rd. A large banner reading ‘Atos Kills’ was unfurled outside the entrance to the Olympic Park, whilst protesters made speeches and handed out leaflets, resplendent in their newly printed Atos Kills T Shirts.
Atos are the company responsible for carrying out the notorious Work Capability assessment which had led to thousands of sick and disabled claimants being stripped of benefits, forced into stressful legal proceedings and made to attend demeaning health assessments. The assessment has led to people with terminal cancer and other serious health conditions being judged fit for work. Tragically several people have committed suicide due to decisions made by Atos ‘Healthcare’.
When not harassing sick and disabled people Atos are trying to clean up their filthy corporate image by becoming involved with the Paralympic Games. Campaigners have vowed that Atos will not receive one inch of good publicity due to their involvement. Wherever Atos go, we’ll be there, to show people the true face of this corporation.
The protest was a success and despite vague threats from the police, who claimed they couldn’t ensure disabled people’s safety unless we talked to them, relations with police and Westfield Shopping Centre security remained cordial on the day. It does perhaps leave us wondering why the police think that benefit claimants and disabled people are unable to organise a safe visit to a shopping centre without their help, unless of course the only threat to our safety came from the police themselves.
Lots of leaflets were given out and speeches made about Atos’ involvement in the Paralympic Games, then a short protest was also held outside Stratford Station where the banner was unfurled and more speeches made.
The day was also the anniversary of the Bhopal Gas Disaster and protesters also highlighted the role of Dow corporation as Olympic Partners. Dow have repeatedly refused to pay compensation for the disaster that claimed thousands of lives and has been estimated to have caused 558,125 injuries including approximately 3,900 severely and permanently disabling injuries.
The day was part of the Month of Festive Action against Atos which began on December 1st when a speech by Iain Duncan Smith at the LSE was met with demonstrators outside and noisy heckles inside. Earlier in the week some claimants joined the PCS picket line at HMRC Euston, before carrying out a brief protest outside Atos’ corporate headquarters in Triton Square, which left security scurrying to lock down the building.
Claimants, disabled people and supporters will be back at Triton Square on the 16th December where a Real Victorian Christmas Party and Picnic against Atos will be held from 2pm.
All rolling mass phone-in has also been called in the run up to Christmas: http://www.facebook.com/events/281777128534663/
attack against a police station in Kirkkonummi (Finland)
08-12-2011 18:27
There's been a new attack against the police in Finland. Exactly one month after the last attack against a police station in Kerava, on the night between the 6th and 7th of december (6th is the Finnish independence day) a police station in Kirkkonummi (about 30 kilometers from the capital Helsinki) was attacked with an incendiary device.“While a number of people were lining up for pea soup and elsewhere the “cream of society” was dancing in the president's castle, we decided to take action. Early in wednesday morning 7th of december we warmed the cold night by setting alight two canisters of gasoline with a fuse in front of the doors of Kirkkonummi police station. To warn the creatures moving in the area, we set a mechanism in the fuse that would send a warning with a loud noise.
Palestine Today 12 08 2011
08-12-2011 14:04
Once again, war is prime time and journalism's role is taboo
08-12-2011 13:57
The following article by John Pilger starts with a reference to 22nd May 2007 Guardian front page, which was the subject of the following UK Indymedia feature at the time:Imperial Disinformation: The Guardian's Iran/Iraq Coverage
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2007/05/371753.html
Sparks Defy Anti-Union Laws With Massive Wildcat Strike
08-12-2011 13:53
UPDATE Downing St/ War on Afghanistan Action - 2 charged, 1 in custody, 4 NFA'd
08-12-2011 13:16
Legal action results from the NVDA taken at Downing St.on Oct 7th. 2011 marking the 10th. anniversary of the war on AfghanistanVIDEO (3 mins)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEwd0KfBD7I BACKGROUND ARTICLE
https://london.indymedia.org/articles/10350
Demonstration against US Climate Treaty Wrecker
08-12-2011 12:51
At the risk of exhausting people we are holding this final demo at the end of the Talks to show that we feel the (largely) negative outcome of the talks matters, that we are angry about it and that we are continuing the fight…….This Friday (9th December) evening 4.45 to 7.00 pm
Outside the US embassy, Grosvenor Square
'Reading the riots'
08-12-2011 10:34
From Bristol with Love is a showcase for local music, local news and new forms of local thinking.Black Flame author Lucien van der Walk talk – Freedom bookshop Dec 10th
08-12-2011 09:59
Occupy activists reclaim homes from banks
08-12-2011 07:26
OCCUPY activists in the USA have moved forward into a new terrain of social war by reclaiming repossessed homes for families.Liverpool - Census Refuser Solidarity Demo - Venue update
08-12-2011 07:16
PLEASE NOTE: The court has been telling journos that the case has been moved from Dale St to Victoria St Magistrates Court. Sarah has not been informed of this change, so we'll be at Dale St as planned. However, be prepared to walk round the corner to Victoria Street if you come along and we've gone.
14 International Animal Rights Stories: Netherlands, Russia, Malaysia, Canada,
08-12-2011 04:07
200 bears shot in 1 day in New Jersey, Quebec strengthensanimal protetion laws, How vegans unwittingly cause animal suffering
etc