Press Releases & Updates 2003
12th February 2003
Tommy Sheridan Not Deterred by Faslane Fine
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Scottish Socialist MSP Tommy Sheridan, after being fined £200 today for being part of a blockade of Faslane, gave notice that he will go to prison rather than pay the fine and will continue to take part in protests at the nuclear weapon submarine base.
Tommy was on trial before Justice of the peace Viv Dance after being arrested at the blockade of the base on February 11th this year. He told the JP that his intention had been to uphold international law the International Court of Justice in its 1996 ruling had judged nuclear bombs to be illegal since they were indiscriminate weapons. Although he had intended to disrupt the work of the base the disruption had been minimal and was not at a level to warrant arrest.
JP Dance found him guilty on the grounds that there was evidence of "flagrant" behaviour. Tommy said that his behaviour had not been flagrant and that he would not desist from protesting in this way.
In December 2000 Tommy was jailed after refusing to pay a fine for the blockade in February of that year. In October 2001 he was acquitted of a breach of the peace charge relating to the Big Blockade (February 2001). Later a Crown appeal against this acquittal was rejected by the High Court. He was again acquitted in June 2002 for the blockade in October the previous year.
Jane Tallents said: "It’s a great encouragement to us in the struggle against Trident when elected representatives like Tommy stand so firmly with us, to the extent of risking imprisonment repeatedly. We are calling for others to follow his example on April the 22nd at the really Big Blockade of Faslane."
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