Press Releases & Updates 2003

On trial yesterday were Morag Balfour (28), from Glenrothes, and David Mackenzie (59), from Tillicoultry. They took part in a four-person blockade of the north gate of the base on 6th February this year, along with Jane Tallents and Joy Mitchell. With the help of other friends at the south gate of the base, they had for some time prevented worker traffic from going in.

While accepting that they had blocked the gateway, both accused argued that their actions were justified. Morag, using photographs, detailed the diseases and birth malformations that would be caused by radiation after a Trident attack. David reminded the court that at the time of the blockade war with Iraq was imminent and Geoff Hoon had twice threatened to use Trident there.

Giving evidence for the defence Joy said that our nuclear weapons gave the worst possible example to our young people and Jane told each official in the court in turn that she loved them and did not want them to experience the horrors of a nuclear attack.

Both Morag and David were fined £100 and told that if they did not pay within 28 days a Supervised Attendance Order* would come into force automatically. When Joy and Jane were tried for the identical alleged offence on the 25th August they were given fines of £250 and £290 respectively.

David Mackenzie said: “The difference between these fines is not difficult to explain. It is not because of any material difference in the circumstances, it is simply down to the fact that Joy and Joan were up before Justice of the Peace Fraser Gillies and today Morag and I had the more genial and empathetic Mr. Duncan. It’s ridiculous, but at the end of the day it does not make a lot of difference since not one of the four of us has been deterred by this court which on every occasion refuses to look at the real and substantial issue the threat of mass murder.”

*An order of the Scottish Courts which in theory should provide opportunities for the convicted person to address their offending behaviour and is likely to have an element of community service.

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