Press Releases & Updates 2001

Peter Quail (32), a van delivery driver from London with no political associations, had just dropped his father at Victoria bus station in London around 9.30 p.m. when he was stopped by about thirty officers, four of whom were pointing machine guns at him, while a helicopter hovered overhead. An order to leave his vehicle was screamed at him and his van was thoroughly searched. Officers told him their action was justified under the Prevention of Terrorism Act. He was then allowed to go.

Peter said: "When they went away they gave me a note which thanked me ’for my cooperation’ as if I had a choice in the matter. These were young lads, really hyped up. My legs were like jelly."

Brian said: "This week I was refused entry to Italy, apparently because British police have put me on a blacklist for protesting, peacefully and nonviolently, at Faslane nuclear weapons base in Scotland. Then Peter, an utterly innocent person, is put through this piece of police terrorism by the Met. It’s too much of a coincidence and it is beginning to look as if the British authorities are out to intimidate me."

Brian intends to pursue the matter with elected representatives. There is growing concern that the British authorities, nettled by the recent growth and effectiveness of civil resistance to Trident, wish to treat peaceful and nonviolent protest as a form of terrorism. On Friday Brian intends to join fellow campaigners at Coulport for a 14-day direct disarmament camp focused on the Clyde nuclear weapons bases.

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