Link to this page: https://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/1127/32283
From The Socialist newspaper, 31 March 2021
'Chingford skinhead' spills the beans over government surveillance of union activists
Lois Austin, COPS campaigner and Socialist Party
A recent meeting was held in parliament giving non-state, non-police, core participants (NSNPCPs) in the 'spycops' Undercover Policing Inquiry (UCPI) the opportunity to explain to MPs the shortcomings of the inquiry. It was hosted by Socialist Campaign Group Labour MP Richard Burgon.
Right-wing former Tory minister, Norman Tebbit (now Lord Tebbit) also decided to attend. After heckling speakers and trying to disrupt the meeting, the 'Chingford skinhead' was given the floor.
He revealed that when Minister for Employment in the Thatcher government between 1982 and 1984, he regularly met with EETPU (former electricians' union) officials and Special Branch officers to be briefed on left-wing activists in the union.
He repeated these claims in the press the following day and added that he brought these union collaborators the back way into Parliament so that no one would see them.
NSNPCPs, their lawyers, the Unite union, and the trade unionist Blacklist Support Group, are all demanding that Tebbit is called to give evidence to the UCPI.
Orchestrated
His public utterance prove, the long-time claim of NSNPCPs that undercover political policing was not because a small band of police officers had 'gone rogue', but was orchestrated by the British state against the labour movement and came from the very top of the political establishment, ie from government ministers.
John Spellar, currently a Labour MP and former minister in the Blair government, was an EETPU official at the time. He is also vice-chair of right-wing Labour Friends of Israel and serves on the neoliberal Henry Jackson Society advisory council.
There are calls from Unite and blacklisted workers for Tebbit to clarify whether Spellar supplied him and the Thatcher government with information about union activists and colluded with Special Branch. Activists are also demanding that Spellar be called to give evidence to the UCPI.
The next UCPI hearings start on Monday 26 April. The Campaign Opposing Police Surveillance (COPS) and Police Spies Out Of Lives (PSOOL) campaign will be organising lobbying events then. For more information go to COPS website: campaignopposingpolice-surveillance.org
Donate to the Socialist Party
Finance appeal
The coronavirus crisis has laid bare the class character of society in numerous ways. It is making clear to many that it is the working class that keeps society running, not the CEOs of major corporations.
The results of austerity have been graphically demonstrated as public services strain to cope with the crisis.
The government has now ripped up its 'austerity' mantra and turned to policies that not long ago were denounced as socialist. But after the corona crisis, it will try to make the working class pay for it, by trying to claw back what has been given.
- The Socialist Party's material is more vital than ever, so we can continue to report from workers who are fighting for better health and safety measures, against layoffs, for adequate staffing levels, etc.
- When the health crisis subsides, we must be ready for the stormy events ahead and the need to arm workers' movements with a socialist programme - one which puts the health and needs of humanity before the profits of a few.
Inevitably, during the crisis we have not been able to sell the Socialist and raise funds in the ways we normally would.
We therefore urgently appeal to all our viewers to donate to our Fighting Fund.
In The Socialist 31 March 2021:
Elections
Mobilise Liverpool workers to defy Tory commissioners and austerity
London - We need socialists into City Hall
Warning: Labour Party cutters - careful who you phone!
News
Domestic Abuse Bill: So much still to fight for
We will not be the lost generation
Shrewsbury pickets exonerated after almost 50 years
'Chingford skinhead' spills the beans over government surveillance of union activists
Freeports spell deregulation, low pay and a new race to the bottom
Right to protest
Unite and fight - For the right to protest
Defending the right to protest
Socialist analysis
Preparing for the revolts to come
NHS
Cumberland hospital workers fight for stolen pay
Workplace news
Trade union fighters rally to support victimised workers
BT Openreach engineers step up the pressure with five-day strike action
Asda equal pay ruling victory - now fight for equal pay for all
SPS Technologies workers strike against potential pay loss of £3,000 a year
Deskilling protests by sparks electricians continue
Beal academy strikers demand equal sick pay
Goodlord strike starts to bite
Nationalise Liberty Steel to save jobs
British Gas workers strike ahead of 'fire and rehire' deadline
Reports & campaigns
Online rally - 150 years since the Paris Commune
Donate now to fuel our election campaigns
Readers' opinion
Football abuse scandal: Reclaim the game for justice and democracy
Socialist Liverpool City Council inspired me
Home | The Socialist 31 March 2021 | Join the Socialist Party
Subscribe | Donate | Audio | PDF | ebook