Cornish Branch Secretary, Mike Chappell, and other members of the branch have been under increasing pressure over the last few weeks, following threats of violence by a new group, calling itself the Cornish National Liberation Army (CNLA) and the publication in The Sunday Times newspaper, of an article alleging that a Cornish branch member was a member of the group.
The formation of the CNLA and their subsequent announcement, which the League reported on last month, has placed a heavy burden on the Cornish movement. Threats of arrest, house searches and confiscation of property, have taken place and the publication of The Sunday Times article, Revealed: the Cornish militant, 18 on 2nd July 2007 have not helped matters. The article that appeared in The Sunday Times has been challenged by the League Secretary General, Rhisiart Tal-e-bot (see below).
In a communication with the League's General Secretary and the Director of Information, Mike Chappell said:
"Today I have received several telephone calls and am growing increasingly fearful. One stated it was from a friend (whom, I don't know). I was told: 'Mike - you are going to be arrested. Look out for yourself.'
Shortly afterwards and with my wife distraught, I received a further telephone call from a member of the Cornish Stannary Parliament and Cornish Branch of the Celtic League (I leave him un named other than to say it was NOT Jack Bolitho). He had already been arrested and his home searched much to the upset of his parents who suffer with cancer related illnesses.
His 'Our Future is History' book (available in any high street bookshop) by John Angarrack was seized together with other general Stannary and Celtic League papers."
Mike Chappell goes on to say:
"If any of you should be arrested, please be informed of the following advice:
SAY NOTHING - NOTHING - TO THE POLICE
ON ARRIVAL AT THE POLICE STATION, DEMAND TO SEE A SOLICITOR AND SAYNOTHING UNTIL YOU HAVE SPOKEN WITH ONE. THIS IS YOUR FREE AND LEGAL RIGHT.
This arrest and my fears follow on from press reports and the like in Cornwall which contained alleged threats against Jamie Oliver, Rick Stein and others.
This is the price we bear for being Cornish in our own land. No one cares and the Campaign for Racial Equality do not recognise me."
As the Celtic League previously warned in these news pages:
"One of the most ominous comments in relation to the emergence of reawakened direct action in Cornwall recently was the statement from Devon and Cornwall Police that they are to set up 'a task force to investigate the threats."
An ominous comment indeed, but unfortunately the consequences are being felt by people who only peruse peaceful and democratic means to further the nationalist political aims of a Cornwall that is now under the close scrutiny of a police task force.
Celtic League General Secretary, Rhisiart Tal-e-bot, has written a letter of complaint to The Sunday Times newspaper and the Press Complaints Commission regarding the article, which can be found by following the link: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/crime/article2010217.ece
J B Moffatt
Director of Information
Celtic League
08/07/07
The Celtic League has branches in the six Celtic Countries. It worksto promote cooperation between these countries and campaigns on abroad range of political, cultural and environmental matters. It highlightshuman rights abuse, monitors all military activity and focuses onsocio-economic issues.
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