Press Releases & Updates 2000

Tommy was appearing on a charge of breach of the peace connected to the "Crimebusters" blockade of Faslane naval base on 14th February, when he was one of the 185 arrested. In a skillful cross-examination of police witnesses he established that his deportment on the day had been entirely peaceful and non-threatening and that the context for his arrest was his attempt to prevent ongoing crime against international humanitarian law. When discussing the conversations he had had on the day with the arresting officers he referred to the fact that one officer had remarked that Tommy was heavier than when he had last arrested him. Tommy’s explanation was that the constant rain had made his clothes heavier!

From the witness box he gave a crisp summary of the case against Trident. As a weapon of mass destruction unable to distinguish military from civilian targets Trident breached the basic principles of humanitarian law. It was common knowledge that UK nuclear weapons were actively deployed and in a constant state of readiness. This was not mere possession - it was threat and as such illegal.

When Procurator Fiscal McRae attempted to narrow the issue down to his refusal to desist from blocking the road and obstructing the traffic Tommy again set his actions in context. No breach of the peace had been committed - it was a matter of trying to prevent a crime of much greater magnitude. He went on to say, "If we don’t all take a stand on this one, none of us will be left standing." Justice of the Peace John McPhail found him guilty without any explanation. When Tommy indicated he would not pay the fine the JP made it clear that if he had not paid within 28 days he would go to prison.

A Trident Ploughshares spokesperson said: "Given the deplorable track record of this court the verdict was entirely predictable. Tommy is setting a great example of responsible citizenship and we are calling on the many other MSPs who are against Trident to take a similar principled stand against lawlessness."

Printer friendly version

Home | Top