Press Releases & Updates 2002

In his skilful cross-examination of the police witnesses Colin was able to show that there was no evidence that his behaviour was liable to cause serious disturbance or alarm, or was malicious or flagrant. He then submitted that there was no case to answer. He had been taking part in an entirely lawful and peaceful protest. He then quoted Scottish High Court judge Lord Prosser who had said, in the Lord Advocate’s Reference of the Trident Three trial, that civil disobedience had a long and proud history in this country.

Justice of the Peace Grace McLeod accepted that essential elements of the evidence required were missing and agreed that he had no case to answer.

The case against Michael Smith (38), a care manager from Glasgow, facing a similar charge relating to the blockade last October, also collapsed. Again, police testimony brought up no evidence of alarm or disturbance. One officer said that he had only arrested Michael because he had been instructed to do so by a senior officer.

Trident Ploughshares comment: "We have had further proof today that the outcome of our cases in this court depends mainly on who happens to be on the bench. It’s a complete shambles. With the Crown appeal against Tommy Sheridan’s acquittal coming up on 9th October we are looking for the law lords to make it clear that peacefully blocking the gates of Faslane, home of Britain’s weapons of mass destruction, is no breach of the peace."

Printer friendly version

Home | Top