Cornwall Police Watch II

Please click on the link below:

http://cornwall-police-watch-ii.blogspot.com/

Tony Leamon released from bail!

CPW have been celebrating following Tony Leamon’s release from bail on Wednesday 31st July 2008.

As readers will know, Tony was due to answer police bail for the fifth time at Camborne police station last Wednesday, almost 11 months since he was first arrested. However, on the Wednesday morning, police visited Tony at his home as on two previous occasions and informed him that his bail had been delayed yet again. However later on in the day, Tony was told that his bail would be dropped and no charges brought against him.

CPW would like to thank all those who supported Tony over the last 11 months, especially Mike Chappel, whose commitment and dedication to Tony’s cause has been an inspiration to us all, Tony’s supporters in the USA and the Celtic League. Tony has experienced at first hand the injustice of the UK’s Terrorism Act and the overly enthusiastic response by the police to act with insensitivity under the Act. Without his support base Tony may well have found himself in jail and been another forgotten victim of police state criminal justice abuse - just another statistic in police eagerness to meet targets and make arrests.

CPW are taking a well deserved holiday, but will be back in September 2008 to highlight Devon and Cornwall police injustice.

A Cornwall police badge?

An interesting idea has been mooted on a Cornish forum for officers of the Devon and Cornwall police force to wear police badges that state ‘Cornwall’ on them.

However, there is no reason why the words Kernow should not be added too. As will be seen on the Celtic League pages (CPW recommend doing a search)a campaign has been running by the League asking police constabularies in the Celtic countries, what their linguistic and cultural commitment is to the respective Celtic countries they serve. As will seen from the League’s news items here, Chief Constable Stephen Otter has already been sent several letters by the League on his constabularies commitment to the Cornish language and culture.

Other replies by various chief police officers from the different constabularies in the Celtic countries, found on the site, have been largely positive, but no reply from Otter has been shown. Either he has ignored the League’s questions or his response was so dismissive and short that the League didn’t think it worthy of posting up on their site.

For those readers who are interested, Cornwall did have its own police badge until the Cornwall County Constabulary was discontinued in 1967. Many of Cornwall’s police officers who worked through the change, stubbornly and rightly continued to wear their Cornwall police badge with pride for many years after, even though another (Devon and Cornwall) badge had been issued.

Also of interest is the fact that Cornwall (with the exception of Breizh/Brittany) is unique of the Celtic countries in that it is serviced by a police force that is based outside its territorial boundaries.

Both the above issues should be remedied and it is hoped that the League (and others) will take it upon themselves to campaign for these particular issues of concern some time soon.

The Cornwall 24 forum provides some interesting material for those interested in Cornish issues and occasionally discusses issues related to police activity. CPW however, cannot find the link to the Cornwall police badge discussion and would appreciate it if a reader could provide one in the comments section.

Celtic League Branch meets, as Tony prepares to answer his bail for fifth time

The Kernow Branch of the Celtic League will meet today inWadebridge, East Cornwall to discuss, among other things, the situation of Tony Leamon, who is due, once again, to answer his bail at Camborne police station on Thursday 31st July.

It is expected that the branch will be organising a demonstration outside Camborne police station on the Tuesday. Those who are able to participate should watch this space for up to date information, in case Tony’s bail is delayed yet again, in which case the demonstration is likely to be cancelled.

This will be the Tony fifth time that Tony is due to answer his police bail and as on previous occasions, supporters are requested to write/phone to Devon and Cornwall police station to register their concerns (police.Enquiries@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk or 7 0044 84527744 from abroad or 084527744 from the UK Ask to be put through to Camborne police station for a non urgent call). Supporters are also requested to copy emails to Ginette Harris (gharris@c-dm.co.uk) of the West Briton newspaper in Cornwall.

Campaigners respond to newspaper articles

Campaigners on behalf of Tony Leamon have taken up the inaccurate portrayal of his case in two newspapers following his bail delay earlier this month. The first is from the ever reliable Celtic League who have been campaigning on Tony’s behalf from the outset. The League’s General Secretary made a complaint to the ‘Western Morning News’ newspaper, who made a series of errors in their article on 3rd July 2008, which was featured on this site. The second complaint is from a campaigner in the USA, who took issue with The Sun’s sensationalist and highly patronising news item about Tony, so commonly associated with that particular newspaper.

The Celtic League’s response can be found here and the US campaigner’s response can be found below. Well done both!

I am writing to you … regarding the article that appeared in the July 4 edition of the Sun about Tony Leamon.

While you are to be commended for featuring the article, I must say that your lack of confirmed facts leaves much to be desired.
I've a few questions concerning the article.

1. "The Cornish National Liberation Army, dubbed the Ooh-Arr A, wanted to back a member answering bail on a gun charge." It's my understanding that membership in the Cornish National Liberation Army is in itself a criminal offense.
If Mr. Leamon is a member of the CNLA (which he is most certainly not), why has he not been charged as a terrorist?

2. "The organisation boasted on websites that supporters from Mexico the US and Australia would support Tony Leamon, 58, at Camborne police station. But when he arrived the only follower was student Jezz Evans."
Having been involved with this thing since September of 2007, I can honestly say that I know of no supporters from "Mexico". I am also unaware of anyone from the US or Australia who planned to show up at the Camborne police station. It is also my understanding (and I heard this from Tony Leamon himself) that a policeman arrived at Tony's house at 11:30 AM the day his bail hearing was scheduled to tell Tony that it had been moved back to July 31.
So, when did Mr. Leamon "arrive"?
Was any research put into finding out why only one person showed up to offer support for Mr. Leamon?
Could that have been because Mr. Leamon took the time to contact people and tell them about the rescheduling of his bail hearing?
Where are the "websites" that your article mentions?
Are these websites maintained by the CNLA?

3. But the cops said they were "not aware of any calls relating to the inquiry."
"Cops" were quoted, but no one by name.
I was waiting to speak with a "cop" when I received word from Mr. Leamon that his bail hearing had been rescheduled.
Who were these "cops" and why wasn't my telephone call mentioned?
Did any research go into this "lack" of telephone calls.
I am aware of at least three people from New Mexico who attempted to get through to the Camborne police station.

4. I've been told that the so-called gun charge had to do with a World War vintage rifle that has a lead filled barrel and is incapable of firing. I've also been told that the photo of the gun was a full blown practical joke and that Mr. Leamon has provided the paperwork to prove that the gun is worthless as a weapon.
Mentioning a gun charge in an article about anyone could destroy a person's career prospects, this is obviously a petty point for yourself and your newspaper.
Mentioning a gun charge without pointing out all of the facts involved was very reckless and uncaring on your part as well as your editor's.
Was any research put into the gun charge?
Why weren't the facts about the gun mentioned in your article?

5. The Celtic League (which is not affiliated with the CNLA) urged people to send emails to the Devon/Cornwall police in support of Mr. Leamon. I know of at least twelve people in my town other than myself who sent emails expressing concern for the Draconian treatment the Mr. Leamon is receiving from the State.
Why was no mention made in your article of what is truly international support for Mr. Leamon?

6. Your article made a very serious, life impacting accusation by calling Mr. Leamon a member of the CNLA.
Was any time devoted to finding the true facts here?
Did you give any thought at all to what this could do to a person's life?
Was this article published for the good of the community as a whole or as a trite piece of filler for your newpaper?

7. Tony Leamon is a member of the Cornish Branch of the Celtic League and a committed pacifist. He has often asked his supporters to treat the police with kindness and dignity when they make contact.
Was any effort made to contact Tony to hear his side of things?
Was any effort made to contact the Celtic League, which is a well respected group, to get a better understanding of this case?

I will look forward to your reply.

Kindest regards,

Police language – in Cornish!

If Kernow had its own police force and a linguistic requirement of its officers was to speak the Cornish language, below are some words/terms they maybe likely to use. In fact, if there are any police officers or Police community support officers reading this, why not put into practice some of this vocabulary today.

GWIR-VREUS (Justice)

gwir-vreus -- justice
breus -- judgement
sywyans -- result
pysadow -- appeal
daswel -- review
gevyans -- remission
edrek -- remorse
gwith -- custody
apposyans -- examination
gwaytyans -- expectation
ken -- law-suit
arv -- weapon
ladrynsi -- robbery (in general)
ladrans -- robbery (individual act)
ladrans arvek -- armed robbery
ladhva -- murder
kammfydhweyth -- confidence trick
dustuni -- testimony
assay -- attempt
nester -- proximity
privetter -- privacy
bolder -- presumption
bysmer -- contempt
omgemmeryans -- responsibility
daskorrans -- restitution
kammhynseth -- injustice
kowses -- conviction
mewgh -- bail

breusyas -- judge
justis -- magistrate
laghyas / laghyades -- lawyer m/f
prisner / prisnores -- prisoner m/f
galwesik / galwesiges -- professional m/f
gwithyas kres -- policeman
gwithyades kres -- policewoman
darsywyas -- prosecutor
difenner -- defendant
lader -- thief
denledhyas -- murderer
kammfydhwas -- confidence trickster
drogoberer -- criminal
drogoberer avleythys -- hardened criminal
kreslu -- police force
dustunier -- witness
noter -- notary
bayli -- bailiff
perghenn -- owner
tremenyas -- passer-by
mewghyer -- one who stands bail

herwydh an lagha, lafyl, laghel -- lawful
anlaghel -- illegal
digeredh -- excused
kablus po ankablus -- guilty or not guilty
varyes -- insane, deranged
kammhynsek -- unjust
diswar -- reckless

darsywya -- to prosecute
previ, gul prov -- to prove
kildenna -- to reverse
byghanhe -- to reduce
mos dres -- to exceed
gordhyllo -- to expel
gul dhe -- to cause to
gwarnya -- to caution
gul maystri orth -- to exercise control over
dilea -- to expunge
mewghya -- to stand bail
kammdremena -- transgress, trespass
kammvreusi – misjudge

How about some slang!

to bag – sagha
to pinch - pynchya
to rumble - grommya
to sequester – argeles
to snare – krogennya ?
to book – ragerghi
to catch – kachya
to haul in – tenna, halya
to seize – dalghenna, sesya

gorra yn gwith -- to place in custody (arrest?)

Campaign activity

Check out the link below for an example of further campaign work. Mike Chappell, who wrote the letter in the link has been campaigning activley on behalf of Tony for many months, despite heavy criticism from some unionist quarters in Cornwall, for reasons unknown.

Unfortunately it seems that the more active one becomes in pushing the the Cornish cause forward, the more people will come out of the woodwork and try to damage your reputation and credibility. It has happened before and continues to occur today. Well done Mr Chappell for standing up for what you believe in - CPW wish there were more like you.

Keep the communications going.

Campaign news: Tony Leamon

What nonsense!

It seems that journalists in Britain and the UK cannot seem to get their facts right at all. Yesterday, in the London based The Sun newspaper, another article appeared about Tony Leamon’s case, which must have been directly lifted and modified creatively from the Western Morning News (WMN) newspaper article that appeared the previous day.

The WMN article was distorted enough and shows that the reporting and research skills of so called journalists are miserably low, but the following Sun article beggar’s belief! Moreover it seems that neither newspaper asked for permission to use the photo of Tony Leamon in their rags.

Tony Leamon is:

41 years old (not 58)
Not a member of the CNLA
Didn’t answer his bail at Camborne police station on 2nd July

See link below:

Source: The Sun (Ohh-Arr you?)

Writer: j.coles@the-sun.co.uk

Newspaper in Cornwall gets story wrong!

It is indeed a shame how the press in Cornwall have virtually ignored the Tony Leamon story and then when one news paper attempts to cover it, they get their facts wrong and portray the campaign in a negative, humorous way.

The following article ‘PROTESTER RALLIES TO SUPPORT NATIONALIST’, written by senior reporter for the Western Morning News, Lyn Barton is full of misconceptions and errors. Even though she has been among the first to cover the story to a limited extent in the mainstream press, she showed up her poor research skills to the detriment of the newspapers reputation. The article may prove a little humorous for WMN readers, who know nothing of Tony’s plight, but she has either failed to show or deliberately omitted the world support that Tony’s case is receiving.

Whether the delay of Tony’s bail by the police (and/or the Crown Prosecution Service), at the last minute, was a deliberate attempt to pull the carpet from under the feet of supporters or they had heard of the planned protest and decided avoid what could be bad publicity, we will never know.

The Tony Leamon support network is tight and almost everyone is kept informed of what is going on via the internet. Some people however are bound to not hear about the very latest developments, as in the case of Mr Evans.

CPW are disappointed by this obvious lack of reporting skills and hope they can correct the story at a future date. Good photo though.

Lyn Barton’s email address is:

lbarton@westernmorningnews.co.uk

Source: Western Morning News
Reporter: Lyn Barton

PROTESTER RALLIES TO SUPPORT NATIONALIST
LYN BARTON

11:00 - 03 July 2008

A solitary protester answered a rallying cry to demonstrate in support of a man questioned in connection with the activities of an extremist nationalist group in Cornwall.

Tony Leamon yesterday answered bail for the fourth time since he was arrested in September as part of an inquiry into the Cornish National Liberation Army, which had threatened to firebomb premises associated with Rick Stein and Jamie Oliver.

The Kernow Branch of the Celtic League had urged members to turn up at Camborne Police Station at 3pm, where the 58-year-old was due to answer bail.


However, in the event, Mr Leamon appeared to have arrived at the police station before lunch, and was released on unconditional until July 31.

At the appointed hour, only Jezz Evans, carrying the St Piran's Flag and wearing a T-shirt proclaiming that Cornwall was "next to England...like Wales" turned up.

Mr Evans, 24, and who is studying for a masters degree, said he was keen to show his support for Mr Leamon.

"I support people like Tony who I believe have been wrongly arrested for being terrorists when there is just no evidence to support it," he said.

He claimed Mr Leamon was being made a scapegoat for being a "vocal" and "passionate" supporter of the Cornish cause.

Mr Evans said many members of the Celtic League would not have been able to turn up due to work commitments, but would support their friend. "I am a student so my hours are flexible," he said. "All the rest of the Celtic League will probably have full-time work. They would definitely support him in spirit.

"I'm not disappointed to be the only person here today."

Mr Leamon, who lives in Falmouth, was one of four men arrested in September on suspicion of the illegal possession of a firearm as part of an investigation into the activities of the CNLA. The shadowy extremist group claimed to have come together in a bid to free Cornwall from Westminister's control and had threatened to firebomb restaurants connected to Rick Stein and Jamie Oliver as part of their campaign.

Two men, including the well-known Cornish musician Graham Hart, were released without any further action. A Devon and Cornwall Police spokesman told the WMN a 58-year-old from Falmouth had been rebailed until July 31. A 53-year-old man from Camborne was due to answer bail at the same time as part of the same investigation, but failed to appear.

The spokesman said the police were still waiting a decision from the Crown Prosecution Service on the case.

Bernard Moffat, director of information for the Celtic League had called for members unable to come to Camborne Police Station to ring instead.

The police spokesman said the force received thousands of calls every day and that he was unaware of any particularly targeting the inquiry.

Tony Leamon’s bail delayed again!

Tony must surely be at the end of his tether. In an email to CPW, Tony Leamon said:

“I was to have answered my bail today at 3 pm. At 11am this morning I had DC 196 Hampson on my door at 11am delaying the interview until the 31st July.
I AM sitting here shaking like a jelly. Surely this delaying tactic is against the law!

My solicitor rang up yesterday to confirm the date-which they did. So I got everything prepared. Now I am delayed to the 3st July at 3 pm. This is the second time they have cancelled my hearing at the last moment. I am sure such delaying and shock inducing tactics are illegal somewhere, but clearly not in Cornwall.

It will be over 10 months since I was arrested, and I still haven’t been charged. Arrested, yes. But not charged. I have been interviewed for over 18 hours, have had my computer, mobile phones, paperwork, flags, and John Angarrk books seized, ad still no charge.

I asked DC Hampson why he couldn’t get things organised. He said it was “out of his hands”. I asked if that was so, could I be seen by the person in whose hands it was. Again, he said, it was out of his hands. The term monkey and organ grinder come to mind.

Speak to all later. Please keep emailing the West Briton, and ringing the police station.”

CPW condemn the treatment that Devon and Cornwall police is meting out to Tony, whose only crime is to campaign for what he believes in.

Good Luck Tony!

Today, Tony Leamon answers is police bail. In an email to supporters, Tony says:

“The battle starts tomorrow. For those who are braving the rain I will be at the police station for about 2:30. For those ringing in the number is 0845 2777444. State it is a non urgent call, and you wish to be put through to Camborne. When through be polite and courteous.

Why not email your feelings to the local news paper, the West Briton? If enough support is shown I am sure they will run a story. The address is gharris@c-dm.co.uk


As with all innocent people I will probably have a sleepless night tonight, but it will do my heart glad to see some friendly faces at the station tomorrow.

Here is your chance to show your support- take it and enjoy every moment! Let’s show the state they cannot push people with no money around.

If they bang me up, I’ll see you all in 1 to 3 years.”

CPW have been copied in on some of the letters being sent to the Devon and Cornwall Police force and journalists in Cornwall to remind them that the world is watching. Edited versions of some of these letters are below:

“As a Human Rights activist for many years I must say that the ten months of seemingly useless harassment that Cornishman Tony Leamon has received from the State appals me.”


“When a State reaches the point where it will repeatedly call an as yet "uncharged" citizen to attend bail hearings set at the whim of some faceless "officer of the state" only to spend hours upon hours asking the same questions that State is moving away from being a free land and into very dangerous territory.”

USA

“Dear Journalist

I am writing to you from my home in Cathair na Gaillimhe (Galway) in Eire otherwise known as the Republic of Ireland.

I won't be outside the Camborne Police Station in Cornwall on 2nd July but Mr Tony Leamon and his plight will be high in my thoughts and that of many others here. What is happening to him might as well be in the Ireland of 30 years ago.”

Now, it is not the English I despise as much as their rotten colonial system and that is why I spent a deal of my life fighting against that system. I am proud of what has been achieved and that out of 32 counties, 26 of them are free albeit not perfect. That imperfection however at least belongs to us and we shall do our best to put it right. We're working on the other occupied six counties and one day our country will be united.

“I have been following the Tony Leamon story from its outset. It does seem to me that the whole world knows about him except where he comes from - Cornwall - or Kernow as it should be called. When I was a young boy, I was made to read a book called '1984' by George Orwell and many of us looking in from the outside can see that is what is happening where you are, albeit 24 years later than Orwell envisaged. You are now being controlled in what you can say and write as journalists by the authorities and that is a very dangerous state of affairs indeed.”

“Sir

I am not prepared to reveal my identity as I was a serving police officer in the Devon & Cornwall Constabulary until the early 1990's when I retired after 30 years service.

I wish to draw your attention to the below references:

A. cornwall police watch blog

B. the news is now public Tony Leamon story

I came across these stories whilst researching police affairs of the past. I strongly suggest you read both website entries from start to finish.

I am ashamed of what the force has become if what is contained in these stories is true. The internet now is more widely read that the newspaper media of our days and it is no wonder that public confidence in the police is falling.”

“What on earth is going on in the Devon & Cornwall Constabulary? Have they forgotten what they are all about ? Where is the integrity the force was so proud of ? In fact, where is the pride ?”

“I am remaining anonymous because in today's environment of malice and nastiness, who knows what action might be taken against a police pensioner but I am the old fashioned sort who still talks to the public and I know your public relations are a complete disaster! Go back to training school and start again.”

CPW will look forward to hearing more – so keep writing and calling the police and newspapers to highlight Tony’s case.

Press release and short video diary of Tony Leamon

The Celtic League have issued the following press release in support of Tony Leamon. As will be seen another video has been produced, where Tony speaks about his experience of being held on bail for almost 10 months.

Even though the video shows that Tony has kept a sense of humour, the strain he is under is also evident.

Press release below:

Celtic League campaigner and Kernow branch treasurer Tony Leamon, will be appearing for at Camborne police station this Wednesday (2nd July 2008) to answer his bail, almost 10 months after he was first arrested on 6th September 2007 on suspicion of terrorism.

To give support to other victims of the British state's over enthusiastic use of anti terrorist legislation, Mr Leamon has made a short video film of himself, for the Celtic League, to rely some of his feelings of having been on police bail for this extended period of time. As will be seen from the video footage, Mr Leamon is in good spirits and has kept his sense of humour throughout, despite a very low period earlier this year when the pressure of the ordeal drove him to make
a suicide attempt.

The Celtic League has been campaigning on Mr Leamon's behalf since his arrest and the arrest of other members of the Cornish cultural and political movement at the same time. Mr Leamon, along with all of the other people arrested, were perplexed as to why the police had picked on them as part of the police investigation into the Cornish National Liberation Army/Cornish Republican Army. Needless to say Mr Leamon and the other people arrested all maintained their innocence and denied ever having taken part in any criminal activity in the furtherance of their beliefs. With no or little evidence to go on, the police had to release the other arrestees from their bail and now it is only Mr Leamon who has been kept hanging on.

Mr Leamon has been due to answer his bail on 3 separate occasions (not including his arrest), but each time, after lengthy periods of questioning, his bail has only been extended further. Now Mr Leamon is hoping that Wednesday will be the forth and final time he will have to visit Camborne police station on this matter.

The Kernow Branch of the League are planning to hold a protest outside Camborne police station on the afternoon of the 2nd July and are requesting that all his supporters who are able to attend the protest to turn up at just before 1500. Those who are unable to attend the protest are encouraged to phone the Devon and Cornwall Police central number on 0044 (0) 8452 777444 (remember to include the 0 if phoning from the UK) and ask to be put through to Camborne police station, regarding Tony Leamon, not forgetting to state where you are calling from. Alternatively, emails can be sent to Police.Enquiries@... with the same message of support. Supporters are requested to enquire after Mr Leamon's welfare, who is registered disabled and has a debilitating disease.

If Mr Leamon is bailed once again, he may have to forfeit attendance at the Celtic League's AGM - due to be held in Dublin on August 16th 2008 - in accordance with his bail restrictions. If this is the case or if Mr Leamon is charged, the League may hold a protest outside the British Embassy in Dublin on the weekend of the AGM.

The Tony Leamon video link can be found below:

http://rhisiart.talebot.googlepages.com/tl2

J B Moffatt
Director of Information
Celtic League

29/06/08

The mud just doesn’t stick!

Another Devon and Cornwall policeman is let off following a rape trial.

PC Jamie Gilbert was accused of four charges of rape against a Callington women and was suspended in June 2007 (no doubt on full pay!). It has taken over a year for the case to come to court and still Gilbert’s suspension will continue until it is discovered if there will be any misconduct proceedings against him.

Gilbert claims that the rape claims were fictitious.

Last month another Devon and Cornwall policeman walked free from court after being caught speeding and then tried to cover it up using police equipment.

It seems that Devon and Cornwall police officers are virtually immune from prosecution. Moreover they get paid to stay at home while their crimes are investigated.

Race and Diversity - What is Otter’s position?

The Celtic League has been writing again to Chief Constable Stephen Otter in his role as Association of Chief Police Officers spokesperson for the Race and Diversity Business Area.

The Celtic League copied Otter in on a letter addressed to Cornwall County Council Leader David Whalley about the racist graffiti on a Methodist Chapel in Carnon Downs. The police told the press that they were “appalled” by the damage, but what is Otter’s view?

As Race and Diversity officer, otter should have issued a public statement and be doing something to further good relations between members of the Cornish public? Maybe even a rare appearance in Cornwall at the site of the chapel where the graffiti and damage was caused.

The Celtic League is right to ask what is being done by those in charge.

Source: Celtic League News Item

Otter is one of “…the self-appointed knights of integrity” in the police (Ali Dizaei)

What has Chief Constable Stephen Otter been doing in his new role as the spokesperson for the Association of Chief Police Officers on the Race and Diversity business area, since he took up the position in April 2008?

An internet search, including a search on the ‘Policing Today’ website, the official journal of the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), reveals that he hasn’t been up to much and if some of his past critics are anything to go by, it is likely that he will be doing very little at all.

One high profile critic of Mr Otter’s is chief superintendent, Ali Dizaei. Dizaei was embroiled in a case about institutional racism in the Cornwall, Wales and England police force between some years ago. Interestingly for CPW, one of the men in the force who Dizaei was critical of was his previous boss, the then Superintendent Stephen Otter.

Otter gave evidence against Dizaei at court in a case that people saw was a witch hunt to remove a high ranking, politically aware ethnic minority police officer from the force. Otter gave evidence against Dizaei, on charges that The Times newspaper says were “so mundane that they beggar belief”, in a move to rid the police force of Dizaei.

After Dizaei won his case, Otter was promoted Deputy Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset and then Chief Constable of Devon and Cornwall police, while Dizaei is still waiting to be a Deputy Chief Constable.

Now Otter is in charge of the Race and Diversity portfolio for the ACPO despite his record. As it can be seen the Cornwall, Wales and England police force really do look after their own!

Not One of Us, by Ali Dizaei and Tim Phillips, is published by Serpent’s Tail on March 8 at £16.99; available from Times BooksFirst for £15.29: 0870 1608080;

Source: The Times newspaper

Why shouldn’t Magistrates criticise the police?

This month UK Secretary of State for Justice, Jack Straw, sacked a Magistrate for criticizing the police for not adequately protecting her daughter from being physically assaulted in her school.

Aside from the fact that the Magistrate is the only Romany Magistrate in Cornwall, Wales and England and that the news came “a week after it emerged that the family of 15-year-old Arsema Dawit had complained to the police that she was being harassed shortly before she was stabbed to death in a London council block”, why shouldn’t Magistrates be able to have an opinion?

Mr Straw said in a letter to the Magistrate in question that “your behaviour has led to your impartiality being brought into question”, but Magistrates are, after all, just members of the public and as such should be able to have a public opinion. The wikipedia reference on UK Magistrates says:

“No formal qualifications are required but magistrates need intelligence, common sense, integrity and the capacity to act fairly. Membership is widely spread throughout the area covered and drawn from all walks of life. Police officers, traffic wardens and members of the armed forces, as well as their close relatives will not be appointed, nor will those convicted of certain criminal offences including recent minor offences.”

The Magistrate, Shay Clipson, said:

“I was acting as a mother who had good reason to be both furious and to question the lack of competence and ethics that were being displayed. Not only was my child terrified for her safety, this campaign of terror was based on racism, mainly her Welsh accent, and possibly her Romany background, yet the police were not doing enough to support her.”

It certainly seems that Ms Clipson has all of those qualities of a Magistrate listed above, so why shouldn’t she be able to criticize the police Mr Straw?

Source: The Independent

News Agency picks up on Tony Leamon’s plight

A Breton based news agency has picked up a story from the Celtic League about a video made to highlight Tony Leamon’s cause.

The website ‘Agence Bretagne Presse’ features news related to Brittany and the other Celtic countries and receives over 200 000 hits a month. The article ‘Video links highlight Cornish activists plight’ can be found here.

Tony in high spirits, despite months of waiting

In an email to suppoters, Tony Leamon, sets out below how he is faring, despite the massive pressure that he has been under all these months. As it can be seen, his spirits are high nevertheless and states that he is “almost looking forward” to his next bail hearing on July 2nd. His resilience in the face of injustice is an example for us all.

“My temperament is a lot better these day because I think the police are finally showing how weak their case is. I am almost looking forward to my next bail hearing on July 2nd.

Of course this is still affecting me and my family. My father, 94, is still terrified of the police at the door. In my entire life I do not remember the police having to knock on our front door in anger.

My mother, who is slowly recovering from her bi lateral mastectomy, is keeping a brave face on all this, as all mothers do.

One thing that has given us all strength is the support I have received from complete strangers. Everything from people who recognise me in the street, to emails from other continents. Every time I type my name into Google, and see all the hits, my heat soars. Not just for me, but for all of the little people who fall foul of the state.

I answer my bail on Wednesday, July 2nd, at 3pm. I'm going to Camborne Police Station again. I have spoken to the West Briton, our local paper, and they hope to have a reporter present. I ask that anyone who can make it stands outside the police station, with a Cornish flag, Do so politely, and with the dignity we all have. If you cannot make it, give them a ring, stating it is non urgent, and then state you are enquiring about the progress of Mr Leamon's case.

Please do not use any aggression, or intimidation with them. They are only doing their job.

I thank all my friends, from all over the world who are giving me their support.

Kernow Bys Vyken”

Humorous interlude

"Police deny over reacting today when a a man was spotted with a Cornish flag and John Angarrack book."

CPW supporter

Indeed this is what some people in Cornwall think things are coming to!

"Ask a policeman on the street, there's so many there to meet"

Can you remember George Harrison singing, "Ask a policeman on the street, there's so many there to meet," in the Beatle's song Blue Jay Way? Well that was a long time ago I suppose; nineteen sixty-seven. I wonder if George would be able to sing that line today? Nowadays, in Britain, you'd be hard pressed to find a policeman on the beat; so that particular lyric might prove anachronistic and somewhat redundant.

Policemen on the street are as rare as rocking horse manure. Walk through continental streets and towns and you will see all manner of police, be they local, municipal, state, federal. These various police departments have a presence, and whatever you may say they certainly provide public reassurance. And it is this essential reassurance that seems to be missing on British streets today.

The ever common remark now is, "When I want to find proper policemen on the street all I find these days are CSOs". Just what are CSOs? Sorry, well if you haven't been around for a while they might be something new to you. CSOs (or Community Support Officers to give them their more pithy designation) are Blair and Blunkett's brainchild for more police on the streets. But these CSOs are not quite police. They are more like security guards that are 'police-wannabes' but haven't quite got the crop of GSCEs required for entry.

Described in various parts of the press as 'boil-in-the-bag-coppers' or 'traffic wardens without clout' they court derision and do not have the necessary public respect that genuine police officers have. And, quite obviously, without that respect it just does not work! I feel quite sorry for them actually; they are in an invidious position. But hey, 'British Brown' and chums don't care because with CSOs at sixteen grand a year, it's like buy two coppers get one free; every little helps! While this administration wastes millions of pounds on quangos and lunatic think-tanks, they penny-pinch with our police and our sense of security. People want real police officers; they don't want pantomime characters marauding around instead of the genuine articles.

If you don't believe me, surely you might believe the Old Bill's Union. "The government's experiment with CSOs has clearly failed," stated a Police Federation spokesman continuing "The public want to see police officers, not imitations, on our streets." He revealed that a poll commissioned by the federation showed seven out of every ten people wanted CSOs replaced by real police. "The general feeling," he concluded, "is that constables starting on £21,000 a year are far better value than the £16,000 p.a. spent on the CSOs."

Committee chairman Julie Nesbit, added: "These findings clearly demonstrate that the public feel safer with police officers patrolling our streets and not civilian staff. [We] warned the Government when CSOs were introduced that trying to police on the cheap was short-sighted." With all the terrible news coming from Britain's streets on a now daily basis, that is hardly surprising is it?