Norma Anderson reports on the Defend the Sheridan Seven rally

Over 260 activists and members of the public people came along to Langside Halls, in Glasgow, on a sunny Saturday in June to pledge their support for the Sheridan Seven – Tommy and Gail Sheridan, Gus Healey, Graeme McIver, Rosemary Byrne, Jock Penman and Pat Smith, who are all facing charges of perjury following Sheridan's outstanding victory in his defamation case against the News of the World.

A vibrant and defiant rally was opened by chairperson, Angela McCormick, who read messages of support from the actor Ricky Tomlinson and Bob Crow, General Secretary of the RMT (Rail, Maritime and Transport trade union). Angela then introduced Janice Godrich, President of the PCS (Public and Civil Service TU) who opened a set of first rate speakers by illustrating the successes of the PCS in struggle recent weeks, months and years. Janice was followed by a fellow trade unionist, Kenny Ross, Scottish Secretary of the Fire Brigades Union, who gave a rousing but considered keynote contribution. He began by pointing out the basic socialist principle that an attack on one of us meant an attack on us all. He then went on to condemn the ‘fellow socialists’ who had taken the side of the Murdoch Press against Sheridan in terms that went far beyond anything that Solidarity has ever said.

“They said they had no choice, because they were legally bound to give evidence, because they were under oath. Well, they did have a choice! They had the choice not to get into bed with the News of the World in the first place! They had the choice not to be in cahoots with those scum for 18 months before the court case even took place! They had the choice not to continue to be in cahoots with them after the court case was over! They had lots of choices and on every occasion they chose for themselves and chose against the movement. They chose to side with one of the most horrible, capitalist, right wing, anti-left, anti-trade union, anti socialist organisations on the planet! They chose to side with Rupert Murdoch in a petty and pathetic attempt to overthrow their own leader and advance their own sordid ambitions. It is a story of disgrace! It is a story of dishonour! And they should never ever be forgiven or trusted again! They call themselves socialists …… their behaviour has relinquished all their rights to call themselves socialists. They are nothing more than class traitors!”

Kenny ended his speech by pledging his personal support to the campaign. He also pointed out the campaign has the support of the FBU both in Scotland and across the wider UK. He argued that Tommy has had a proud association with the FBU over many years and the FBU does not forget its friends and comrades.

A further two trades unionists followed in the shape of Jim Walls, TGWU Convenor of opencast coal miners in Ayrshire and Margaret White a former Sunvic striker in Lanarkshire. They both pointed out that Tommy Sheridan, and the others facing charges, had shown real solidarity with them and they were now returning that solidarity. As Margaret white said, quietly and effectively “He was there every other day to support us ….”

The next speaker to be introduced – to a standing ovation – was Gerry Conlon, of the Guildford 4. Gerry gave a magnificent speech in which he said that he had known of Tommy for a long time before he met him. He went on to say that he had been aware of the fact that Tommy had joined in the campaign for the Guildford 4 and said that, in this respect, “…good people can’t contain their reputation”.

He argued that Tommy Sheridan was a fighter and as such would never be welcome in the corridors of power. He went on to underline the arguments already made that we all have a need help each other when we are in trouble and that “we don’t sell our souls for gold” as had been done by some in the movement. He ended by arguing that we need to stay together and stay strong!

John McManus from the Miscarriages of Justice Organisation (MOJO) continued to speak about serious miscarriages of justice and, quoting Paddy Hill, said of the criminal justice system. “They’re rotten. They couldn’t spell justice never mind dispense it!”

John argued that the justice system is still rotten. He went on to talk about how much money had been spent on the Sheridan case and pointed out that there has been many examples of bent cops being allowed to resign the service rather than face disciplinary action. He asked why they are not getting done for contempt of court and why they are picking on Tommy Sheridan! He ended by calling for us all to stay together and show ‘Solidarity Forever’!

Paddy Hill from the Birmingham 6 also stood up to a standing ovation. He talked about the fact that Tommy Sheridan had been one of the first to support the Birmingham 6 and the Glasgow 2 (Joe Steele and TC Campbell) when it was unpopular to give such support. He also argued that the people in power did not like Tommy Sheridan. He went on to say that “the scabs who turned against Tommy Sheridan were only a handful of scumbags". He ended by arguing that it was the duty of us all not to stand up just for Tommy Sheridan but to stand up for everyone here!

At this point, Phil Stott made an appeal for campaign funds which collected over £600 on the day. Phil opened by saying he had known Tommy Sheridan since the miner’s strike. He argued that his support for the Sheridan 7 was quite straightforward – that the question was do you support them or not. It was, he argued, a simple question with a simple answer. He went on to say that he had been given £100 from the FBU in Dundee and could think of no better way to start off the drive for funds than this. He said that the campaign team had been inundated with messages of support from all over the UK and, indeed, from all over the world. He mentioned that messages of support had come in from Ireland, Australia, Portugal, Greece, Sweden, Belgium and the Netherlands.

Solidarity member Irene Lang described how the News of the World had run an untrue story about her when she stood for election under the Solidarity banner. The NOTW falsely complained that she was off work with back pain and argued that she should be sacked from her job. This was untrue! Under the Representation of the People's Act it is a criminal offence to publish misleading or untrue allegation about an election candidate. However, although Irene reported this breach of election law to Strathclyde Police no action has ever been taken against the NOTW

Socialist Party councillor Rob Windsor, from Coventry, also made the point that: "Tommy Sheridan was unforgiven by the ruling class for his role in helping bring down Thatcher through the anti-poll tax campaign. Thatcher and Murdoch are on the same side, yet some people who call themselves socialists chose to side with the gutter press”! He said that had there been border controls between Scotland and England then Tommy Sheridan would have a passport the size of an encyclopaedia because he had travelled up and down tirelessly to assist in fighting the poll tax campaign and many other campaigns. Rob went on to argue that he remembered what had happened at Wapping when Rupert Murdoch had sacked 5000 print workers. He pointed out how the police had assisted Murdoch in fulfilling this decimation of the print industry.

Tommy Sheridan (who also received a standing ovation) closed the rally with a barnstorming speech welcoming the support the campaign had received. He said the fight was not about Tommy Sheridan – or even the Sheridan 7 but about working class people and the sides that you take. He argued that we will not be intimidated and we will not bend or bow the knee. We will continue fight because it is better to fight and lose than to go down without putting up a fight at all. Using a boxing analogy said we may be a bit battered and we may be a bit bruised but we are still standing! He ended with an appeal for people to join Solidarity and help to build a fairer society in Scotland. To cheers, Tommy was joined on the platform by Graeme McIver, Pat Smith, Rosemary Byrne and Jock Penman.