Press Releases & Updates 2000

The jury heard of her "extreme trepidation swimming in the filth infested waters" of Barrow docks to the submarine, but also of her conviction that her disarmament action was protected by international law.

Ms Wenham explained how attempts by Trident Ploughshares to enter into detailed dialogue with the British government over the legality of Trident only resulted in the group being "fobbed off" with standard answers. Questions on how the Trident system carrying 48 warheads each eight times as powerful as the Hiroshima bomb could comply with international humanitarian law were ignored.

There was amusement in court when the judge suggested that he might have to find a wetsuit, after hearing with evident surprise as Ms Wenham described the direct action taken by judges in Germany who blockaded a Pershing missile base. This and other successful actions led her to believe that individuals can help disarm weapons of mass destruction.

Asked what the effect of her action was, Rachel replied "It worked. We prevented Vengeance sailing."

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