The Rule Of Law v Self Interest

Since SPEAK's inception in March we have detailed on a regular basis on this website the biased behaviour of Thames Valley Police when dealing with animal rights campaigners. At SPEAK it has given us no satisfaction in having to catalogue the numerous occasions where their attitude is unacceptable in a society where some semblance of a democracy still exists.

Despite what the police might say, it has become obvious that their relationship with Oxford University has become more insidious as the SPEAK campaign has become more effective. Rather than taking a neutral stance, Thames Valley Police have come down firmly on the side of the university.

Before we are accused of being paranoid, it's important that we allow the facts to speak for themselves. Several examples illustrate this point effectively. Despite the police's protestations that they are a neutral body, we have witnessed representatives of Thames Valley Police working closely with the legal team of Timothy Lawson-Cruttenden at the High Court, as Oxford University attempted to muzzle a legal campaign. We have had the ludicrous situation of policemen passing notes and being involved in conspiratorial huddles with both Oxford University representatives and their legal team.

Now of course Thames Valley Police will insist that they are upholding the rule of law and this is indeed the line they stick to when confronted to explain their behaviour. This defence just does not sound credible however when other behavioural traits are taken into consideration. A court case yesterday clearly shows the intent of the police - an animal rights campaigner, Gail Record, was arrested a number of months ago for playing a cassette tape outside the proposed animal research facility in South Parks Rd. The reason for her arrest was because the tape she was playing was of the Channel 4 undercover investigation at HLS, in which laboratory technicians are filmed punching, shaking and swearing at beagles they are about to inject. For reasons best known to themselves, the police decided to arrest Ms Record and, at great expense to the taxpayer, pursued the case for the last 7 months. Thankfully the attempt by Thames Valley Police at misusing the legal system in this country backfired on them. It was refreshing to see a judge not under the influence of the University dismiss the case. After reviewing the tapes, he returned to the court with a smile and the words "You are free to go, Ms Record".

Now this could be dismissed as overzealous policing by a few officers on the ground, abusing their powers. However that does not explain why when a 70 year old woman was attacked with noxious substances by a worker on the site of the new lab, the worker was not prosecuted. It also fails to explain why a man that verbally abused and spat at protestors outside the site was allowed to go on his way without being arrested. One can only imagine the consequences to any animal rights campaigner who conducted themselves in a similar fashion.

Its also important that we look at the police's behaviour when detailed evidence is presented to them regarding the abuse of a primates by Oxford University professors. It is a disturbing development when inadequate laws that are in place to prevent the abuse of laboratory animals are not even adhered to by the University, and when there is a clear breach of these laws the police aren't willing to uphold the rule of law and prosecute those responsible for abusing animals.

I think it's fair to say that only a die-hard Oxford University supporter will fail to recognise the biased nature of the police. At SPEAK we will continue to highlight their behaviour both on our website and in our magazine and detailed records have been kept, to be used at an appropriate time. We hope that in 2005 Thames Valley Police will be able to conduct a sensible approach to policing and that a review of their policy will be forthcoming in the not-too-distant future. A forlorn hope perhaps, but one must live in hope! At SPEAK we have always encouraged our supporters to conduct themselves in a disciplined and dignified manner we hope in the future, Thames Valley Police will follow our lead.

Disclaimer: The information on this website is for the purpose of legal protest and information only. It should not be used to commit any criminal acts or harassment.