Blair Peach: still more delays

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Last week saw another episode in the continuing mockery of justice after the police murder of Anti Nazi League demonstrator Blair Peach in Southall last April.

The inquest is to be adjourned for at least another month, while Peach's family press their case for the coroner to be required to sit with a jury.

The Peach family are also being forced to take further legal action in order to obtain a copy of witnesses' statements taken by the police, which have been made available only to the police barrister and the coroner.

And there remains a strong chance that the coroner, Dr. John Burton, will attempt to exclude the Anti Nazi League lawyer when the proceedings resume.

Suppress

In short every effort is being made by the state to obstruct, delay, exclude and suppress all those forces fighting to uncover the facts of the murder and demand the prosecution of the police thug responsible. gre: whi the thri con the trac indi redı revi prej the wor But a few miles away at Brent, the 342 victims of the police violence at Southali are being whisked in and out of farcical show trials at a rapid pace. Defence evidence is generally cast aside, as a staggering 87% conviction rate has been clocked up, colossal fines meted out, and tive victims thrown into jail.

Jury vetting

If this contrast is not enough to demonstrate the blatant bias of British class justice', it is worth noting that in Sheffield, where two police officers are being charged with assault, Judge Pickles has given defence lawyers permission to 'vet' the jury-using police files-to exclude anyone possibly hostile to the police!

The workers movement must rally to the assistance of the Southall victims, demanding a labour movement inquiry into the events and sending donations to cover legal costs and fines.

Donations to: The Southall Defence Campaign, c/o PO Box 151, London WC2.

Justice' seen be done in Southall Already the TGWU has promised to give full, official support to any section of wo kers in BL who, whatever the outcome of Edwardes' ballot, take action to defend their jobs.

Green light.

This must be used as t en light for plant occupatio ich in turn would stimula necessary massive campai oughout the corporation f 'esounding 'no' vote in t ning postal ballot.

The BL crisis has expos inadequacy of the existi le union leadership in t ustry: the fight must oubled for a principle plutionary leadersh pared to fight at all costs f independent interests of ti •king class.

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