This morning 10 DESi delegates were blockaded into their Thistle Hotels shuttle bus at Tower Bridge at 8.30am. Activists locked onto the bus to prevent it moving or the delegates from leaving.
On the morning of the 12th Sept 2 teams of activists from various parts of the UK assembled close to the Thistle Hotel, London in order to blockade a bus load of BAe systems delegates travelling to DSEi. I was part of team two, there to block the other exit for vehicles after team 1 stopped and locked on to the Bae delegates bus. We sat around for an hour, feeling very conspicuous round the back of the Thistle Hotel waiting for the call from team 1 to say they had stopped the BAe bus. We then noticed a bus parked round back matching the description of the BAe bus, sure enough there was a sign in the front window saying BAe delegates. we waited for the bus to load with its cargo of death merchants, as soon as it pulled away we struck! Running into the path of the bus in order to stop them. The driver was determined that we would not succeed and attempted to drive forward with several of us clinging to the front. At this point several of the team took the brave and commited step of laying down in front of the bus, in the meantime myself and one other (go baggy go!) ran to the back of the vehicle, crawled underneath and handcuffed ourselves to the undercarriage. Within minutes we were joined by team 1 who had legged it round to join us. 2 members of team 1, Bobby and Mark, then crawled under the bus to join us and lock in alongside us. Somebody approached the driver to inform him there were people locked on, I couldnt see what happened from under the bus but we heard some commotion, the driver had swung a couple of punches at our friend who was informing him that if he drove away people could be injured or even killed. People on our support team appealed to the driver to turn his engine off, instead he revved up, trying to spook us underneath I guess....well it worked, I was definitely spooked! I have to say I was worried he would attempt to drive off. Fortunately the team managed to calm him down and an agreement was reached, he would take the keys from the ignition as long as he could close the bus door ensuring none of our crew could board. This was agreed and to our relief the engine was turned off. After a short while the sight was swarming with cops, including a helicopter and a police boat (the hotel is next to a marina). They surrounded the bus and moved our support team away apart from 1 they left for negotiations (thanks Martin, great job!) The BAe delegates left the bus after some 45 minutes to find alernative transport to the arms fair. We waited another half hour and then decided to unlock as there was little point staying locked to an empty bus! at this point we were of course arrested for 'suspicion of causing criminal damage', ironic when you think of the damage the people on baord the bus create! We spent the day in Charing Cross police station and were released in the afternoon, without charge, but to return at a later date. We caused no damage to the bus at all, under the Criminal Damage Act 1971 if you damage or destroy property or threaten to do so intentionally or recklessly and without lawful excuse you could be found guilty of criminal damage. We caused no damage to the bus what so ever, but even if they found that we had then surely we would have had a 'lawful excuse', i.e. preventing a greater crime, that of BAe delegates trading with illegal (not to mention the moral argument as we are talking about the law) traders at the DSEi arms fair. The Mirror newspaper today published this exclusive article about the illegality of dealers at the arms fair:
ARMS dealers are selling bombs, guns and tanks illegally at a controversial arms fair sponsored by the Ministry of Defence.
Dozens of the 1,000 companies touting for business at the exhibition are unlicensed.
Scotland Yard has issued a blistering rebuke to the Government and handed out warning letters to the illegal exhibitors.
But the Government has ignored police concerns over security and insisted no action be taken against companies breaking the law.
It means hundreds of arms dealers from around the world, including notoriously unscrupulous companies from unstable regions, have been allowed to ply their trade without even cursory checks on their credentials.
And police have ignored the law being broken inside the Defence Systems and Equipment Inter- national exhibition in London's Docklands while outside they have arrested more than 130 anti-arms protesters.
An incredible array of weapons is on display, from tanks and rocket launchers to missiles and machine guns.
A senior Home Office source said: "It is staggering that at a time when a terrorist attack is considered inevitable, an unknown bunch of arms dealers can turn up and flog weapons without anyone knowing a thing about them.
"Osama bin Laden and Saddam Hussein could be behind companies selling arms in London this week and we wouldn't have a clue."
Police chiefs initially wanted to shut down the arms show, which is costing the taxpayer £1.5million.
In a document leaked to the Daily Mirror, Chief Inspector Stephen Lee of the Metropolitan Police Firearms Enquiry Teams warned a Home Office official: "The integrity of the police force cannot be put in such an invidious position and as it stands, I will be asking Firearms Enquiry Team officers to enforce the law, either through prosecution or demanding the removal of the exhibits.
"I do not relish the prospect of either of those two courses of action, knowing that the consequences of alleged 'heavy handedness' could bring adverse publicity to the exhibition organisers, HM Government and police but I am left with no alternative."
But police were issued orders from "ministerial level" to ignore the law being broken."
The source said: "The bottom line is that the Government has invited officials from a number of countries to the fair and feels it would be hugely embarrassing at this prestigious event - which the MoD helped organise - to have police going around arresting and charging people.
"It is clear hypocrisy and double standards to have thousands of police stopping peaceful protests about the fair while allowing all manner of crimes to be committed inside."
He admitted the Government was aware of the "considerable alarm" over companies dealing in prohibited weapons at the fair, which ends today.
Less than 50 of the 1,000 firms from 28 countries applied for proper certification, and police estimate at least 300 are selling prohibited weapons. Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon welcomed delegates at an opening ceremony on Tuesday as 20 firearms officers handed out "letters of warning" to 300 dealers with weapons on offer about the next exhibition in two years' time.
The letters said: "It is clear that a significant number of exhibitors have committed such offences as those outlined above. A repetition of this in 2005 will not be tolerated." But no further action will be taken against those breaking the law after Scotland Yard was forced to back down. Martin Hogbin from the Campaign Against the Arms Trade called for Mr Hoon's resignation over the scandal.
He added: "I was told by a police officer that it was politically important this arms fair continues."
Outside the ExCel centre 2,600 private security guards and police have been drafted in over fears of a riot from anti-arms industry protesters.
Campaigners accused the Labour Government of abandoning its 1997 pledge to clean up the industry and putting profits before ethics to pump arms into nations plagued by war and poverty.
The fair is run by Spearhead Exhibitions, but taxpayers are picking up the £1million security bill and £500,000 to host delegates invited to browse.
Under UK law prohibited weapons require Home Office authority under Section 5 of the Firearms Act and a Firearms Dealers Certificate from the police. A Section 5 licence requires special dispensation from the Home Secretary and is only granted under "extreme and special circumstances".
Police first expressed concerns about the missing certification last year and warned the Home Office exhibitors had missed the last deadline to obtain a licence weeks before the show opened.
Asked to issue a certificate for a South African firm bringing in arms and munitions, an officer wrote: "Owing to limited time before the opening the checks cannot be completed."
While some of the giants of the arms world, including the UK's BAE Systems and America's Lockheed Martin, have obtained the proper documentation, most have ignored requests to do so.
The MoD which organised the fair with Spearhead, said: "The event is run by the company and not by the MoD.
"In putting together their list of invitees the company is expected to take into account embargoes and other restrictions on defence exports."
Spearhead was unavailable for comment. A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "A written warning has been given to the exhibitors who have not complied with UK licensing laws."
Scotland Yard later claimed only 47 of the 1,000 arms firms were dealing in weapons and that 27 did not have the proper certification. It said temporary licences were issued for the duration of the fair.
The Metropolitan Police said the Crown Prosecution Service was consulted but decided no action should be taken. The Home Office said last night: "We are investigating our position."
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Bus lock on
12.09.2003 23:49
I was part of team two, there to block the other exit for vehicles after team 1 stopped and locked on to the Bae delegates bus.
We sat around for an hour, feeling very conspicuous round the back of the Thistle Hotel waiting for the call from team 1 to say they had stopped the BAe bus. We then noticed a bus parked round back matching the description of the BAe bus, sure enough there was a sign in the front window saying BAe delegates. we waited for the bus to load with its cargo of death merchants, as soon as it pulled away we struck! Running into the path of the bus in order to stop them. The driver was determined that we would not succeed and attempted to drive forward with several of us clinging to the front. At this point several of the team took the brave and commited step of laying down in front of the bus, in the meantime myself and one other (go baggy go!) ran to the back of the vehicle, crawled underneath and handcuffed ourselves to the undercarriage. Within minutes we were joined by team 1 who had legged it round to join us. 2 members of team 1, Bobby and Mark, then crawled under the bus to join us and lock in alongside us.
Somebody approached the driver to inform him there were people locked on, I couldnt see what happened from under the bus but we heard some commotion, the driver had swung a couple of punches at our friend who was informing him that if he drove away people could be injured or even killed. People on our support team appealed to the driver to turn his engine off, instead he revved up, trying to spook us underneath I guess....well it worked, I was definitely spooked! I have to say I was worried he would attempt to drive off. Fortunately the team managed to calm him down and an agreement was reached, he would take the keys from the ignition as long as he could close the bus door ensuring none of our crew could board. This was agreed and to our relief the engine was turned off.
After a short while the sight was swarming with cops, including a helicopter and a police boat (the hotel is next to a marina). They surrounded the bus and moved our support team away apart from 1 they left for negotiations (thanks Martin, great job!)
The BAe delegates left the bus after some 45 minutes to find alernative transport to the arms fair. We waited another half hour and then decided to unlock as there was little point staying locked to an empty bus! at this point we were of course arrested for 'suspicion of causing criminal damage', ironic when you think of the damage the people on baord the bus create! We spent the day in Charing Cross police station and were released in the afternoon, without charge, but to return at a later date.
We caused no damage to the bus at all, under the Criminal Damage Act 1971 if you damage or destroy property or threaten to do so intentionally or recklessly and without lawful excuse you could be found guilty of criminal damage. We caused no damage to the bus what so ever, but even if they found that we had then surely we would have had a 'lawful excuse', i.e. preventing a greater crime, that of BAe delegates trading with illegal (not to mention the moral argument as we are talking about the law) traders at the DSEi arms fair. The Mirror newspaper today published this exclusive article about the illegality of dealers at the arms fair:
MINISTERS DISMISS POLICE ARMS FEARS
Sep 12 2003
EXCLUSIVE
By Gary Jones And Justine Smith
ARMS dealers are selling bombs, guns and tanks illegally at a controversial arms fair sponsored by the Ministry of Defence.
Dozens of the 1,000 companies touting for business at the exhibition are unlicensed.
Scotland Yard has issued a blistering rebuke to the Government and handed out warning letters to the illegal exhibitors.
But the Government has ignored police concerns over security and insisted no action be taken against companies breaking the law.
It means hundreds of arms dealers from around the world, including notoriously unscrupulous companies from unstable regions, have been allowed to ply their trade without even cursory checks on their credentials.
And police have ignored the law being broken inside the Defence Systems and Equipment Inter- national exhibition in London's Docklands while outside they have arrested more than 130 anti-arms protesters.
An incredible array of weapons is on display, from tanks and rocket launchers to missiles and machine guns.
A senior Home Office source said: "It is staggering that at a time when a terrorist attack is considered inevitable, an unknown bunch of arms dealers can turn up and flog weapons without anyone knowing a thing about them.
"Osama bin Laden and Saddam Hussein could be behind companies selling arms in London this week and we wouldn't have a clue."
Police chiefs initially wanted to shut down the arms show, which is costing the taxpayer £1.5million.
In a document leaked to the Daily Mirror, Chief Inspector Stephen Lee of the Metropolitan Police Firearms Enquiry Teams warned a Home Office official: "The integrity of the police force cannot be put in such an invidious position and as it stands, I will be asking Firearms Enquiry Team officers to enforce the law, either through prosecution or demanding the removal of the exhibits.
"I do not relish the prospect of either of those two courses of action, knowing that the consequences of alleged 'heavy handedness' could bring adverse publicity to the exhibition organisers, HM Government and police but I am left with no alternative."
But police were issued orders from "ministerial level" to ignore the law being broken."
The source said: "The bottom line is that the Government has invited officials from a number of countries to the fair and feels it would be hugely embarrassing at this prestigious event - which the MoD helped organise - to have police going around arresting and charging people.
"It is clear hypocrisy and double standards to have thousands of police stopping peaceful protests about the fair while allowing all manner of crimes to be committed inside."
He admitted the Government was aware of the "considerable alarm" over companies dealing in prohibited weapons at the fair, which ends today.
Less than 50 of the 1,000 firms from 28 countries applied for proper certification, and police estimate at least 300 are selling prohibited weapons. Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon welcomed delegates at an opening ceremony on Tuesday as 20 firearms officers handed out "letters of warning" to 300 dealers with weapons on offer about the next exhibition in two years' time.
The letters said: "It is clear that a significant number of exhibitors have committed such offences as those outlined above. A repetition of this in 2005 will not be tolerated." But no further action will be taken against those breaking the law after Scotland Yard was forced to back down. Martin Hogbin from the Campaign Against the Arms Trade called for Mr Hoon's resignation over the scandal.
He added: "I was told by a police officer that it was politically important this arms fair continues."
Outside the ExCel centre 2,600 private security guards and police have been drafted in over fears of a riot from anti-arms industry protesters.
Campaigners accused the Labour Government of abandoning its 1997 pledge to clean up the industry and putting profits before ethics to pump arms into nations plagued by war and poverty.
The fair is run by Spearhead Exhibitions, but taxpayers are picking up the £1million security bill and £500,000 to host delegates invited to browse.
Under UK law prohibited weapons require Home Office authority under Section 5 of the Firearms Act and a Firearms Dealers Certificate from the police. A Section 5 licence requires special dispensation from the Home Secretary and is only granted under "extreme and special circumstances".
Police first expressed concerns about the missing certification last year and warned the Home Office exhibitors had missed the last deadline to obtain a licence weeks before the show opened.
Asked to issue a certificate for a South African firm bringing in arms and munitions, an officer wrote: "Owing to limited time before the opening the checks cannot be completed."
While some of the giants of the arms world, including the UK's BAE Systems and America's Lockheed Martin, have obtained the proper documentation, most have ignored requests to do so.
The MoD which organised the fair with Spearhead, said: "The event is run by the company and not by the MoD.
"In putting together their list of invitees the company is expected to take into account embargoes and other restrictions on defence exports."
Spearhead was unavailable for comment. A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "A written warning has been given to the exhibitors who have not complied with UK licensing laws."
Scotland Yard later claimed only 47 of the 1,000 arms firms were dealing in weapons and that 27 did not have the proper certification. It said temporary licences were issued for the duration of the fair.
The Metropolitan Police said the Crown Prosecution Service was consulted but decided no action should be taken. The Home Office said last night: "We are investigating our position."
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