SSP leader jailed for anti-trident demonstration

by pat c Thu Aug 28, 2003 14:06

(No reason given for his early release. There is an unsusstanyiated rumour that Peter Taafe paid the fine.)

Freed Sheridan remains defiant


Mr Sheridan said his protests will continue
The Scottish Socialist Party leader has emerged from prison in defiant mood after serving a jail term following his role in an anti-nuclear protest.
Tommy said he would be prepared to go to prison again to "make a stand" for what he believes in.

He was sent to jail for seven days at Glasgow District Court on Monday after refusing to pay a fine for his role in an anti-Trident protest last year at the Faslane nuclear submarine base on the Clyde.

However, the Glasgow region MSP was released from Barlinnie Prison on Thursday morning to cheers from his supporters.

The biggest waste of taxpayers' money is the £1.5bn a year that we spend on the maintenance of weapons of mass destruction in Faslane

Tommy Sheridan
SSP leader
He said: "I don't think jail is a pleasant place to be and I would not encourage anybody to get themselves into a position where they go to prison.

"But sometimes you have to make a stand on certain issues and this is one issue you have to make a stand on, so I will be involved in future anti-nuclear protests."

Mr Sheridan rejected criticisms from opponents of placing an additional burden on the criminal justice system and of wasting taxpayers' money.

He said: "I think it is the height of hypocrisy for anyone to accuse me of wasting taxpayers money when I am in there in protest at the waste of taxpayers' money.

Warrant sales

"The biggest waste of taxpayers' money is the £1.5bn a year that we spend on the maintenance of weapons of mass destruction in Faslane."

Mr Sheridan thanked prison officers for "their professional conduct and assistance" during his short stay.

"Can I also thank the fellow prisoners for their solid support and help," he said.

Mr Sheridan has already served one previous jail term following an anti-nuclear protest and was jailed on two occasions after protests about poindings and warrant sales.

Among those greeting him at Barlinnie on Thursday were his wife Gail, mother Alice and father-in-law Gus Healy.

Mr Healy, 66, was taken to the cells at the court on Monday after raising a clenched fist in support of Mr Sheridan.

He said: "I was there for a couple of hours and I got a wee ticking off. But I'm 100% behind Tommy."

by pat c Thu Aug 28, 2003 14:09

and on a lighter note...
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Dead mouse found in parliament

A dead mouse has been found in the Scottish Parliament's canteen, a spokesman said.

He said the parliament's pest control company examined the kitchen thoroughly and the area has been sanitised since Monday's find.

Green MSP Robin Harper said: "Is this the first mouse to have died from starvation in the midst of plenty?"
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Another by election for New Labour to fight?

by wouldn't you like to find captain nairac's body Thu Aug 28, 2003 21:01

Well done Tommy sheridan, not afraid to stand up for his principles.

by tomy Mon Sep 01, 2003 12:47

"Well done Tommy sheridan, not afraid to stand up for his principles"

Tommy is hardly one for his principles! Remember his refusal to say he'd nationalise Tescos? Remember he said scandanavian social democracy is the model for Scotland?

I think we should not get too carried away with cheering on the SSP. They have their problems.