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'Never ascribe to malice that which can be explained by incompetence.'
- Napoleon Bonaparte
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'Never ascribe to malice that which can be adequately explained by ignorance'.
- Oscar Wilde |
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ISSN 1750-3264
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A three-week trial at Leeds Crown Court is nothing unusual – but, as Adam Christie has been finding out, a first hearing involving BNP leader Nick Griffin and associate Mark Collett has presented new questions for journalists and the police.
March 17, 2006
QUESTIONS HAVE been asked about the policing outside the trial of BNP leader Nick Griffin and his associate Mark Collett at Leeds Crown Court. High-profile cases that attract national or even international media attention are far from rare in Leeds. This year alone, hearings involving a businessman facing deception charges and a man accused of faking Yorkshire Ripper tape recordings have hit the headlines. In December 2004, the conviction of former US marine David Beiber for the murder of PC Ian Broadhurst a year earlier was reported around the world. But, last November’s pre-trial hearing involving Mr Griffin and Mr Collect brought the first experience of a very different problem for West Yorkshire Police. Officers are well-accustomed to television satellite vans, camera crews, photographers, radio, television and newspaper reporters filing pieces from outside the court buildings or rushing to get shots of white contractors’ vans bringing those on trial to the court or taking the newly-convicted to their first nights in prison.
Opposing factions
And while West Yorkshire officers may also be accustomed to policing marches and demonstrations against racism – with their regular counter-protests from BNP supporters – these have not, until now, been everyday events. Both sides were present in Leeds in large numbers last November, for a pre-trial hearing. Although anti-racism protesters significantly out-numbered the BNP supporters, the gathering outside the Court building, a march along the Headrow and a rally outside Leeds City Art Gallery were all peaceful. Reinforcements were brought in from other West Yorkshire police divisions. While other formal rallies by anti-racism campaigners were called during the trial proper, several tens of BNP supporters were corralled across the road each morning as Nick Griffin and Mark Collett were escorted by large men in a triumphalist procession towards the Court. Inside, the public gallery was full – of BNP supporters and members of Mr Griffin’s family. Outside, according to one freelance photographer and member of the National Union of Journalists, reporters and photographers covering one of the rallies organised during the trial did not fare so well. According to this London-based photographer, 'the journalists present were kept in a confined area behind a police line and constantly harassed and told where to stand. 'This was completely unnecessary,' this member said,'because both the BNP and United Against Fascism demonstrations were under control, there were more police than demonstrators, there was no disorder at the previous event and there were fewer people there than there had been before. 'Journalists are there as impartial observers, not participants and should be treated as such. 'The BNP supporters were allowed more freedom to wander around than we were,” he added. “They were even allowed to provoke the UAF people at their rally.'
Risks assessed
'Due to the heightened level of media interest (in the Griffin case), West Yorkshire police felt it appropriate to assist the media and cordoned off the best vantage point allowing media access only. 'Supporters from the opposing sides were encouraged to stay within their groups and behind other cordons to ensure peaceful protests could take place,” the spokeswoman added. West Yorkshire Police also confirmed that they had in the past spoken to major news broadcasters and local newspaper editors to draw up informal guidelines for policing major court cases. However, it is clear that while high-profile trials anywhere gather media and public attention, they rarely attract large crowds. If people do actually gather outside court buildings, such crowds are relatively small and are usually only present when verdicts and sentences are announced, rather than all day, every day, during a three-week hearing. The West Yorkshire Police spokeswoman said they were keen to learn from this first experience and would actively consider adopting guidelines such as those circulated in Nottinghamshire or being negotiated in London.
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BBC News
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