Press Releases & Updates 2001

Elinor Mackenzie (58), a retired college lecturer from Cathcart in Glasgow, was charged with a breach of the peace for her part in a Scottish Parliament protest on April 5th when with the eleven others she interrupted First Minister’s Questions. Elinor represented herself in court. Parliament security attendants, giving evidence for the prosecution, were asked to identify the accused in the court and pointed out two women in the public seats. Halfway through the Crown case Elinor made a submission of "no case to answer". The Sheriff said he wanted to hear the whole prosecution case. At the end of the Crown case the Sheriff invited Elinor to make her submission again. She did so and this time it was accepted.

During the Crown case it emerged that on the day in question Elinor was about to be released without charge when there was a change of plan and the detaining officers were ordered to arrest her and take her to the police station for charging. It is also understood that by 2.30 that afternoon, before the actual demonstration took place, police in the Lothian Road station were advised that "CND activists were in the public gallery".

Elinor said: "I am delighted at the outcome and hope that this verdict will help the others as they come to trial. It is all wrong that we are brought to court for challenging the Parliament to respond to the Trident when the police and the prosecution services do nothing about that appalling crime."

The first trial of the demonstrators took place last week when Jane Tallents (43), a peace campaigner from Helensburgh, was found guilty on the same charge. She is to be sentenced on 18th September following social enquiry and community service reports.

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