Press Releases & Updates 2004

The campaigners from Trident Ploughshares, dressed in Vanunu masks and "whistleblower" suits to gain entrance to the top security RAF Northwood. They searched for evidence of the deployment and threatened use of nuclear weapons in contravention of International law.

Joss Garman, a spokesperson for the group explained, "Mordechai Vanunu has probably done more to expose illegal WMD than anyone else in the world, and all without bombing a single Iraqi. Rather than winning the Nobel prize he so clearly deserves, Vanunu has been imprisoned for 18 years, including 12 in solitary confinement."

He continued, "Today, we acted to continue with the vital work started by Vanunu, and to expose the hypocrisy and secrecy that is government policy towards Britain’s own WMD. Next week, ambassadors from the UK will meet in New York to talk about disarmament, but we need Blair to lead by example, and to disarm his own illegal and immoral WMD now."

Read the compiled

Northwood Report (Word, 34.5 kb)

from this citizens inspection. (Word document)

Update: 22nd April 2004: "Northwood 5" Charged After Security Breach

No Nonsense At Northwood

A Write up from activist Joss Garman

On April 21st, five of us dressed in Vanunu masks, and white weapons inspection suits with "Whistle blower" stencilled on the back, broke into Northwood Military HQ - the Control and Command Centre for Trident, to mark the release of Vanunu after eighteen years in prison, and to blow the whistle on Britain’s very own WMD.

A professional photographer, and a videographer (from Undercurrents) happened to be on hand at Northwood to capture the moment that Graham Thompson, Briony Tomlins, Sarah Shoraka, Phil Gordon (none of them are TP pledgers, yet!) and I, entered the base, and the footage was flashed around the world in hours. Kate Holcombe was present as Trident Ploughshares Press Spokesperson outside the base, and news of the action was seen on BBC London TV, BBC News 24, Channel 4 and Sky, and I understand she also took interviews with many national and international radio stations. The piece was covered on the front page of two of the Israeli national newspapers, putting yet further pressure on the UK government.

This action came just days before the start of the NPT Preparatory Conference in New York, and therefore was timed to pressure the UK ambassador there. Despite our best efforts, Damon Alburn, the lead singer of Blur couldn’t participate on the day, as we hoped he might be able to in order to increase press coverage of the event. This action was a Citizens Weapons Inspection, with the aim of finding documentary evidence of the illegal threat to use nuclear weapons. We intended to use a digital camera to record evidence that we found, and to formulate a weapons inspection report for submission to Elbaradei and the International Atomic Energy Agency. (A copy of our report is available from the

Northwood Report (Word, 34.5 kb)

. For paper copies, contact me.)

On entering the base, we were able to explore briefly before being held at gunpoint by marines, searched on all fours, and marched, hands on our heads to a ‘holding room.’ It was just before we arrived there, that a more senior soldier shouted at the marines not to treat us as prisoners of war, adding, "They could sue us for this."

Soon after, civilian police arrived and we were processed and taken to Watford Police Station where we gave ‘no comment’ interviews, and remained for several hours. We were all released on bail not to go within 200m of Northwood, having been charged with Criminal Damage and Going equipped. On leaving the police station, having had no prior warning, we discovered from our solicitor (Maggie Pederson from Bindmans) that Sarah, Graham and Briony had had their houses raided. I had some documents seized as evidence from Sarah’s home. When Maggie asked the police why Philip and I hadn’t had our houses seized, they said because they knew I hadn’t been at home for three weeks! And who said we weren’t under police surveillance? Philip has been living with Graham.

We have been to court once, where we all pled Not Guilty and we have opted for trial by jury at Crown Court. At noon on July 12th, we shall appear at Hemel Hamstead Magistrates Court, where our case will officially be referred to Crown Court and a trial date should be set. Watch this space!

Peace Campaigners Break into Top Security Base

PA news, 9:50am (UK)

By Louise Barnett

Five peace campaigners were arrested today after cutting their way into a high security Ministry of Defence command centre.

The anti-nuclear demonstrators broke through the perimeter fence of the tri-service base in Northwood, Hertfordshire, at around 7.30am. They were stopped by security guards inside Northwood HQ and later arrested by police on suspicion of criminal damage, a Hertfordshire police spokeswoman said. Three men and two women were being questioned by officers in Watford.

The protesters were acting on behalf of anti-nuclear campaign group Trident Ploughshares. In a statement, the group said the break-in had been timed to mark the release of Israeli nuclear whistleblower Mordechai Vanunu.

Joss Garman, a spokesperson for the group, said: "Today, we acted to continue with the vital work started by Vanunu, and to expose the hypocrisy and secrecy that is Government policy towards Britain’s own WMD.

"Next week, ambassadors from the UK will meet in New York to talk about disarmament, but we need Blair to lead by example, and to disarm his own illegal and immoral WMD now."

An MoD spokeswoman said the break-in was being dealt with by the police but would not comment further.

Vanunu was convicted of treason and espionage and jailed for 18 years after giving information and pictures to the Sunday Times in 1986, describing Israel> ’> s top secret nuclear reactor, where he worked. He was released from Ashkelon’s Shikma prison today.

One of the protesters, speaking from inside the base this morning, said they had broken in to highlight the "hypocrisy" of the secrecy surrounding the UK’s nuclear programme. He did not have a chance to give his name as he was arrested by base security guards, who ordered him to "drop the telephone and keep your mouth shut".

Northwood HQ is the home of Commander in Chief Eastern Atlantic, one of NATO’s three major Commanders. It is also the Headquarters of Commander in Chief Fleet, the Chief of Joint Operations and his Permanent Joint Headquarters and Air Commodore Maritime No 3 Group RAF.

Some links to more news items about this action

BBC: link here

Haaretz Daily: link here

Jerusalem Post: link here

Reuters: link here

The Scotsman: link here

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