Early Monday morning two Trident Ploughshares activists were arrested after scaling a perimeter wall at Devonport naval dockyard, where Trident nuclear weapon submarine HMS Vanguard is undergoing a refit.
Sue (27), from Faslane Peace Camp in Scotland, and Matt (48), from Taunton, issued a statement before their action in which they said they had “jointly undertaken to disarm the nuclear weapons submarine HMS Vanguard at present undergoing refit in Devonport Dockyard.” They are currently being held in Charles Cross police station on suspicion of having committed criminal damage.
In her statement Sue said: “Early last year I signed a pledge to prevent a Nuclear crime and this is the reason why I am back here in Plymouth. I was stood on the Hoe when HMS Vanguard went past in February 2001. It was a horrible day and the sorrow has never left me. I just can’t believe we are allowing the re-fit to happen.”
Matt said: “I have undertaken this direct action against Britain's nuclear weapons as a British citizen who recognises the greater weight of international law over British law. I am also aware that, despite being a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty of 1968 (NPT), Britain has failed to take any steps towards nuclear disarmament and is working on a new nuclear weapons programme at the Atomic Weapons Establishment, Aldermaston.”
The two were held overnight in Charles Cross Police station before being taken to court today where supporters were waiting. They were bailed to appear again on the 11th of November.
Last November two Trident Ploughshares activists got on board HMS Vanguard and were able to inspect it for some time before ringing the alarm bell themselves to attract the attention of security. Last night’s intrusion comes just 10 days before the Trident Ploughshares Disarmament Camp at Devonport, which begins on the 2nd October and ends with a blockade of the dockyard on Monday 6th October.
[Full version of Matt and Sue’s statements available on Trident Ploughshares, Website]
In her statement Sue said: “Early last year I signed a pledge to prevent a Nuclear crime and this is the reason why I am back here in Plymouth. I was stood on the Hoe when HMS Vanguard went past in February 2001. It was a horrible day and the sorrow has never left me. I just can’t believe we are allowing the re-fit to happen.”
Matt said: “I have undertaken this direct action against Britain's nuclear weapons as a British citizen who recognises the greater weight of international law over British law. I am also aware that, despite being a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty of 1968 (NPT), Britain has failed to take any steps towards nuclear disarmament and is working on a new nuclear weapons programme at the Atomic Weapons Establishment, Aldermaston.”
The two were held overnight in Charles Cross Police station before being taken to court today where supporters were waiting. They were bailed to appear again on the 11th of November.
Last November two Trident Ploughshares activists got on board HMS Vanguard and were able to inspect it for some time before ringing the alarm bell themselves to attract the attention of security. Last night’s intrusion comes just 10 days before the Trident Ploughshares Disarmament Camp at Devonport, which begins on the 2nd October and ends with a blockade of the dockyard on Monday 6th October.
[Full version of Matt and Sue’s statements available on Trident Ploughshares, Website]
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