[Dave Simpson, an Oxford student, was arrested and…]
Socialist Press1979 1979-05-16Read it in the scan (PDF), scan page 12 →
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Dave Simpson, an Oxford student, was arrested and held for four hours under the Prevention of Terrorism Act on Saturday for selling An Phoblacht/Republican News in Oxford city centre.
After being grilled by the local Special Branch, Simpson was released without charge following a series of phone calls from protestors and an impromptu demonstration outside the police station.
'Licence'
Simpson, a member of Provisional Sinn Fein, was selling alongside left paper sellers in Cornmarket Street, Oxford, when he was approached by a man claiming to be an off duty policeman, who asked to see his 'licence' He then claimed the material was 'seditious' and contravened the Prevention of Terrorism Act.
When Simpson refused to move the policeman returned with a uniformed sergeant who arrested him.
Simpson began to announce to a gathering crowd what was happening. When police tried to cover his mouth with a hand there were shouts of protest from onlookers.
At the police station he refused to answer questions on what he thought of Airey Neave's death and what his mother's political opinions were.
Threats The Special Branch detective made threats about his exam and job prospects before turning him loose. without Charge.
He also questioned him about a leaflet advertising a labour movement conference on Ireland on Saturday in Oxford sponsored by the local NUJ branch, Oxford Trades Council and other union branches.
SERTUC