Medway Trades Union Council are holding an inquiry into the policing of the recent Climate Camp at Hoo. They appealed for witness statements from people who attended the Climate Camp and local people in the surrounding area.

A spokesman for Medway Trades Union Council said “We have decided to hold an inquiry into the Policing of the Climate Camp because of our concern over the level of policing and various incidents such as a policeman in riot gear assaulting a protester with a riot shield, as shown on TV, and other allegations including local campaigners being subjected to pepper spray and a local councillor being pushed to the ground. These and other incidents have disturbing echoes of the Miners’ Strike and we fear that similar tactics may be used in future industrial disputes.”

The Trades Council intend to gather evidence from protesters and local people from which they will compile a list of questions to be put to Kent Police for a response. A report will then be made and published before the end of the year. Anyone who would like to submit evidence should contact the Trades Council Inquiry at  mtucenquiry@yahoo.co.uk.