Press Releases & Updates 2001

Peter Lanyon, a retired teacher from Leiston in Suffolk, wanted to attend the Trident Ploughshares camp next month at the Berkshire site. The bail conditions were imposed after Peter, with three other activists, cut through the perimeter fence at a disarmament camp there last November. Peter argued that it was his human right to protest and he explained how the Trident Ploughshares campaign was founded on openness and accountability.

Refusing the bid Mr.Justice Crane said:"Mr Lanyon has explained to me that at the forthcoming protest he would not be doing an act likely to get himself arrested. The crucial question for me is whether that assurance is enough. With regret I refuse the variation. Mr Lanyon accepts that his principles on occasion do permit him to go contrary to English law. I cannot ignore English law, nor can I subordinate it to moral principles. Mr Lanyon’s principles do permit and sometimes require him to carry out acts of protest. In refusing his application I am in no way questioning his good faith."

The hearing was delayed since the prosecution failed to appear to contest the application. Within moments of the hearing being postponed, a slightly breathless barrister, frantically recruited by the CPS arrived from the Middle Temple. In the spirit of openness typical of Trident Ploughshares Peter briefed her on the case to enable the appeal to be heard.

After the hearing Peter said: "It is gratifying that his Lordship so readily accepted that our campaign is principled. However, isn’t morality supposed to be the basis of the English law, not subordinate to it?"

Note: The Trident Ploughshares disarmament camp at Aldermaston is from 10th to 15th May, with a blockade of the site on Monday 14th May.

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