Encaenia Ceremony Court Report

Tuesday 8th - Friday 11th May

Proceedings against the sixteen SPEAK supporters who were arrested for public order offences arising from a demonstration at the Oxford University Encaenia ceremony on the 21st June 2006 finally got underway almost one year after the so called "Offences" occurred: a year in which the sixteen defendants have been barred from entering the city of Oxford to exercise their democratic right to protest.

The trial had been halted the previous week at Oxford magistrates court due to a 'security alert' which co-incidentally happened at the same time police were arresting animal rights campaigners across the country, including raids on animal sanctuaries.

The setting for the resumption of the trial was Bicester magistrates court. Bicester is a small market town and it is clearly evident that the facilities at the court are not adequate for so many defendants. Nonetheless, in their wisdom the court authorities have decided to hold a large trial here. One could be forgiven for believing that the re-scheduling of the trial in Bicester was due more to the fact of its location, with poor transport facilities and therefore ease of travelling to witness the great British Justice system at work is restricted, rather than any other concerns the court authorities may have had. Matters were further complicated by a lack of microphones which made it virtually impossible for any defendants to hear police witnesses being crossed examined by the defence advocates. This situation was eventually rectified but not after some police officers were able to give evidence without the defendants being able to hear what was being said about them.

It is worth remembering that this trial concerns alleged breaches of public order which are said to have occurred at the demonstration on the 21st June 2006 at the Honorary Degree Ceremony in Oxford. What is unfolding at Bicester Magistrates court is something far more disturbing and sinister however. Specific details cannot be disclosed yet as the trial is ongoing, but a comprehensive exposé of Police corruption will be highlighted after the court case. For the time being all that can be disclosed is: Less than two weeks before the trial began the SPEAK 16 were served via their respective legal representatives a transcript of a Dictaphone tape recording which a serving Thames Valley Police (TVP) officer had recorded on the day of the Encaenia Ceremony. What made this tape remarkable was the content of the conversations which took place between TVP officers, including senior ranking officers, after the arrests of the defendants had taken place and the suppression of a peaceful demonstration.

It was made clear that the officers heard on the tape had no idea the Dictaphone was still active when they regrouped after the legal demonstration had been put down. This also included comments at a de-briefing held in the presence of the commanding officer responsible for the policing of the demonstration on the day and officers involved in 'Operation Rumble' the rather ridiculous and unimaginative code name given for the policing of all demonstrations related to the 'Oxford Animal Lab' campaign run by SPEAK. The transcript of the tape has revealed the true extent of the relationship between senior Thames Valley Police officers and Oxford University. It has also revealed a very disturbing picture of the 'mind set' of serving police officers, who have by their own admissions been involved in what is clearly a campaign of harassment and intimidation against those who are legally speaking out about animal suffering at Oxford university.

Even worse is the clear and evident truth that Thames Valley police have played an active part in trying to create the conditions in which a very draconian High court injunction can be obtained against SPEAK. The picture that is now being revealed at Bicester magistrates court is one which should cause the deepest concern for anyone who truly believes in 'Free Speech'. It is interesting to note that despite the sensational story unravelling at Court which is highlighting the extent of corruption within Thames valley Police and the influence Oxford University exert within not just the police but other public and what should be neutral bodies, journalists are conspicuous by their absence. 

This case has taken on dimensions that go far beyond the events of June 21st 2006. It is self evident that the political nature of this case eclipses questions of the limits of protest defined by public order legislation to a question of whether we any longer have any rights to protest at all in the UK today.