March 1998

Fury as Clegg conviction quashed (1/3/98)

Fundamentalists take control of Pickles (16/3/98)

Green Belt Campaigners Link Up (26/3/98)

Green Belt Campaigners Link Up

. Local Campaigners who are fighting housing developments on Green Belt sites across the Bradford District have linked up to form "the Campaign for Democratic Planning".

The Link was formally cemented at a meeting on Tuesday. Groups, including The Jenny Lane Action group and Sandy Lane Action group, have promised to pool resources and use direct action to protect local communities from massive Executive housing schemes. They are particularly angry at the way the local Labour council has ignored their concerns whilst promoting the developers interests in the planing process.

The Sandy Lane residents have led the field, with site occupations and blockades. There have also been allegations of sabotage. Developers Bryant Homes have so far proved unequal to the challenge. The Sandy Lane residents have achieved a high level of publicity for their fight, with major features in the National media.

They have been advised by Oliver Robinson, veteran of the Bingley anti-road camp.

Previous posting.

Fundamentalists take control of Pickles

. Right-wing Christian fundamentalists have taken control of the constituency of Eric Pickles MP - the former leader of Bradford Council.

Over 100 members of the Peniel Pentecostal Church have joined the Tory branch of Brentwood & Ongar in Essex - the 4th safest Tory seat in the country. They have taken key positions in the branch and a further 600 church members are expected to join in a clearly planned takeover.

The sect, which claims to perform miracles, condemns "EastEnders" as "evil and perverted" and which supports corporal punishment, is led by Bishop Michael Reid, a former cop.

Ousted treasurer Tony Donnelly said "This is quite frightening and disturbing. Local Tories are extremely concerned that they'll use the party as a vehicle for their views."

The sect have plenty of money; they've already pumped £20,000 into the branch in the last 2 months, and pay for a free newspaper "Trumpet call" with a claimed circulation of 100,000.

Eric Pickles appears unmoved. He said "I'm not religious but they seem wonderfully normal."

Check out the Peniel Pentecostal Church website.

Fury as Clegg conviction quashed

. Republicans in Northern Ireland reacted with fury at the decision of Belfast Appeal Court to quash the murder conviction of paratrooper Lee Clegg.

Clegg was convicted for the murder of 18 year old Karen Reilly in 1990 when his patrol opened fire on a car carrying joyriders. His release on licence after serving only 2 and a half years led to riots throughout Belfast.

Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams called the courts decision "outrageous". He said:

"Many people will be very angry. The system is once again protecting it's own, and showing that British soldiers can do what they like and get away with it."

Clegg, from Lidget Green in Bradford, was convicted when it was shown the fatal bullet which struck Karen Reilly in the back had come from his rifle. 36 shots had been fired at the car. Clegg now faces a retrial.

Full story 

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