FILM-MAKER Ken Loach yesterday called on the trade unions to take strike action to force the release of government documents concerning the 1972-73 trial and jailing of the Shrewsbury pickets.
Campaigners insist that there was a conspiracy between Tory cabinet ministers and the judiciary to jail the building workers who played a leading role in the 1972 strike action.
Earlier this week the Coalition government announced that documents concerning the case are to be withheld for another ten years on grounds of ‘national security’.
Loach told a press conference in parliament, organised by the Shrewsbury 24 Campaign: ‘This is one of the great causes of our time.’
He said: ‘Today it is blacklisting. Yesterday, when Cameron was lecturing on democracy, he said the executive and judiciary should be separated.
‘That wasn’t what the politicians were doing when they talked about arrests and sentencing at Shrewsbury.’
Loach added: ‘It’s essential that trade unionists support this. The Pentonville Five were got out by the action of trade union members.
‘They were arrested under Heath’s anti-union laws for picketing the Midland Cold Store, and were freed after tens of thousands took strike action and forced the TUC to call a 24-hour general strike.
‘I’d like to see workers out on strike for Shrewsbury, that’s your strength’ said Loach. ‘Let’s see the trade union movement mobilised by walking off the job.
‘This cannot go on much longer, otherwise the Shrewsbury survivors will go to their graves before the truth is out.’
Campaigner Mike Abbott who took part in marches all over the country led by Wigan building workers, to free the ‘Shrewsbury Two’ said: ‘Des Warren knew there was a conspiracy. These people conspired against Des. Let’s get the truth out and put these people on trial for their conspiracy.’
Warren was jailed for three years.
Actor Ricky Tomlinson, who was jailed for two years, said: ‘This is so particularly nasty the Shrewsbury papers should be available this year.
‘What made me angry is that most of the documents are stamped Top Secret, including letters from the prime minister.’
He added: ‘I was told you’re going home, you’ve done your time.
‘Des was kept in prison.
‘Des’ wife said he died of drug-induced Parkinson’s.’
The meeting was chaired by John McDonnell MP. Other speakers included Unite General Secretary Len McCluskey, TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady and UCATT General Secretary Steve Murphy who all called for the documents to be released now and for a parliamentary inquiry into the Shrewsbury affair.