Hardcore investigative journalism seems to have been replaced by history mystery when it comes to miscarriages of justice

How would the Birmingham Six or Guildford Four get on these days, with the vista of miscarriages of justice having virtually disappeared from our TV screens.

Maybe they would have had to wait a hundred years or so in order that their cases could be examined by “experts” of some future generation, looking back with the benefit of hindsight and new investigative techniques.

The thought occurred recently when watching Jack the ripper -the case reopened, presented by Silent Witness actress Emilia Fox. A real case of fact meeting fiction as it were, with a team of police and lawyers looking at the case 130 years plus after it occurred. An entertaining bit of television but the thought occurred, who cares, what is the point?

The Jack the Ripper programme did not stand alone. The series Murder, mystery and my family looks back at historic cases, using modern forensic techniques. Lawyers play a part then the case goes to a crown court judge for adjudication. Again, entertaining but what about the programmes about the innocent people amongst the record 82,000 prison population?

Miscarriages of justice were a more popular media genre back in the 1980s and 90s. The whole idea of innocent people being convicted was largely unheard of until the four individuals wrongly convicted of the Guildford pub bombings in 1974 (Guildford Four) were released in 1989. Their success came about largely due to a combination of a tenacious legal team, an effective campaign and some excellent investigative journalism both in print and on broadcast media.

Two years after the Guildford Four were released came the Birmingham Six (the six men wrongly convicted in 1974 of the Birmingham pub bombings), who had the same combination but maybe even more of a contribution from the media. The excellent work of Chris Mullin, investigating the case and ITV World in Action’s Who Bombed Birmingham to name but two.

This time saw the BBC commission the Rough Justice series, which devoted some serious investigative resources to examine cases. Between 1982 and 2007, Rough Justice helped get 18 victims of wrongful convictions released. Channel 4’s Trial and Error ran for five years from 1992, helping get 15 wrongful convictions overturned.

Media commentator Roy Greenslade recalled Rough Justice being dropped for budgetary reasons. “Given its success rate, that was a cowardly decision by our public service broadcaster when carrying out, well, a public service.

 

“I agree that investigative work is costly. It's a lengthy process and labour intensive. Sorting our inevitable legal problems is also a drain on resources. But I have always wondered, without any proof, whether the BBC faced other pressures,” said Greenslade, who believes the demise of Trial and Error was for similar cost reasons, claiming that “broadcasters have fled from confrontation with the justice system in the UK.”

The establishment of the Criminal Cases Review Commission in 1997, largely came out of the miscarriages of justice. It was no doubt seen as the answer from the government of the days view. It would seem broadcasters took a similar line.

 

Peter Hill, the founder and producer of Rough Justice credits the lack of money and the arrival of the CCRC as contributing to the demise of miscarriage of justice programs. The latter, he said, meant that miscarriage of justice cases were seen as “being dealt with.”

He also believes there was “no money from the TV stations because of government influence and the lack of investigative experience in journalists.”

Some 1500 prisoners apply to the CCRC to have their cases looked into each year. There were 19 cases referred back in 2018 to the Court of Appeal by the CCRC – 12 the previous year. Of 658 cases referred by the CCRC over its 22 year history 437 have been allowed, 198 dismissed.

But there still remain a lot of innocent people in the prison system. A prisoner with a good lawyer, media exposure and a support campaign must have a better chance of achieving justice by the CCRC route as much as any other. And what of the fascination with old cases, where all involved have long since departed this world?

Entertaining television but not investigative journalism, which is required. Greenslade makes the point forcefully about the need for proper investigative journalism to look into real live contemporary cases.  “There isn’t a better justification for investigative and campaigning journalism than freeing someone wrongly convicted of a crime,” said Greenslade.

The BBC doesn’t accept that it no longer produces programmes that examine potential miscarriages of justice. “Recent documentaries which examined the evidence around murder convictions include "Conviction: Murder at the Station" and "Conviction: Murder in Suburbia", the BBC Three series "Unsolved: The Man with no Alibi" and "The Chillenden Murders" on BBC Two,” said a BBC spokesperson. “We are also following the Sally Challen case for a documentary, while BBC News and Current Affairs continues to look at miscarriages of justice and wider issues surrounding the justice system across its output, including a recent 'Panorama'  which examined whether the Criminal Cases Review Commission is fit for purpose.”

What is for sure is that there remain many innocent prisoners incarcerated in the prison system. Surely, it would be better for all concerned if they were freed, and very much part of the public service remit if the likes of the BBC to play a role in that process of liberation. More so for sure than devoting so much resource into historically interesting but largely irrelevant questions such as who was Jack the Ripper? 

published in British Journalism Review - June 2019

Only a Jeremy Corbyn led Labour Government can address the growing gap between rich and poor in Britain

Britain is one of the most unequal countries in the world.. and it’s getting worse.

Five years ago, the 1,000 wealthiest Britons owned £519 billion – the equivalent of a third of Britain’s gross domestic product.

Fast forward to today, which sees the Sunday Times rich list reporting that there are 151 billionaires in the UK owning £525 billion of wealth – up 9.2% on the previous year. This compares to 104 billionaires with £301 billion of combined wealth in 2014. At the same time more than 1.8 million people went to food banks in the past year.

Britain also makes headlines in Europe for the unequal way in which the wealth is distributed, with the five poorest regions in Northern Europe to be found here. However, inner London registers as the richest area in Northern  Europe.

Incidentally, the five poorest regions West Wales and the Valleys, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, Lincolnshire, South Yorkshire and Tees Valley and Durham all voted overwhelmingly for Brexit, with Lincolnshire having the highest proportion of Leave voters in the country.

The two sides of the Brexit argument would ofcourse disagree over these stats, with Leavers obviously blaming the EU for the grotesque inequalities, while Remainers would say that it is not the EU causing the inequality and that making the country poorer overall will hit the poorest hardest.

That's as maybe, the fact of the matter is that the Britain is a model of grotesque inequality. The referendum vote was but the most obvious sign of discontent at this situation. It was a call for a change in direction and for government to start addressing inequality.

The austerity policies of first the Conservative/Liberal Democrat coalition government, then since 2015, the Tories on their own, have helped increase inequality to these obscene levels. However, the gap between have and have nots has been growing with the implementation of neo-liberal economic policies dating back to the late 1970s.

The Labour governments from 1997 to 2010 did some disguised redistribution of wealth from rich to poor but nothing like enough to start bridging the gap. Poverty levels continued to grow.

There has been some recognition from all sides that this situation cannot continue. The sight of millions going to foodbanks, the growing number of homeless on the streets and children living in poverty concerns everyone.

There should though also be concern in the board rooms of business, where many of the superrich dwell. The popular anger will be directed there first.

But there are other elements of self interest impacting on this group. So, if more and more wealth is flowing to a small number of individuals, who lock it away or shift it offshore, then the wheels of the economy are not being greased. Put simply, people need to be earning and spending wealth for the economy to keep operating.

These developments have been recognised by the right of the political spectrum, with the Conservative government becoming a late convert to the idea of a living wage and the shifting of tax bands to put more money in people’s pockets.

Universal Basic Income is another idea that can be seen in this vein – a way to get more money into the economy.

What is required though is a truly radical Labour Government that will bring in policies devised to shift this inequality. The rich need to be taxed – including particularly those minimal tax paying corporations. There needs to be a reduction in the working week to four days, as well as possible the introduction of Universal Basic Income. Retirement ages should be lowered and the state pension increased. Anti-union laws must be repealed, with a real push for greater unionisation across the economy.

There also needs to be a mass environmentally sustainable council house building program to counter homelessness

Maternity and paternity provision needs to be improved and the successful Sure start scheme of the previous Labour government reintroduced and built upon.

The alternative is to carry on until there is a mass uprising against ongoing polarisation between rich and poor.

This could well provide further fuel to the likes of Nigel Farage and his far right associates, as they scapegoat the likes of migrants in order to seize power.

Inequality is certainly not going to be addressed by the likes of Farage and the increasingly Faragist Conservative Party.

A radical Jeremy Corbyn led Labour government can lead the way toward closing the inequality gap, making this country a better, happier place to live.

 

Combatting crime

There has been much concern over recent months about crime.

It is unsettling for the community, especially the victims. As the victim of a mugging some years ago, I can recall the physical and particularly the mental scars it left. A feeling of not being safe, seeing everyone as a threat.

Where things have changed over recent years is with the growth of social media. This has positives and negatives when it comes to crime. Things like street Whats App and Facebook groups help keep people informed. They know to keep their eyes open for suspicious behaviour etc. There can also be a collective feeling of not being alone.

The negative side of social media is to overhype crime, creating a state of hysteria that fosters fear . There seems to be this compulsion with social media that everyone has to say something. Maybe it is an outlet for some people to just let it all out but in the case of crime that is not always helpful as it helps create a false impression of the real situation on the streets. This can frighten people, who then may not come out.

Some of these problems became apparent at a recent ward panel meeting with the police, where it emerged that a crime that had been described in detail on social media, had not been reported. This caused much frustration to the police, who cannot act unless crime is reported to them. In a wider context the failure to report crime suggests the crime is just not there, so police resources will shift elsewhere.

At times, it can seem on social media that Wanstead is some sort of crime centre. A look at the most recent crime statistics suggests this is not true, with crime at a lower level here than in most other parts of the borough. For example, there were 90 thefts in Wanstead Park and Wanstead Village Wards (45 in each) for the three month period to 12 May 2019. This compares to 288 in Clementswood in Ilford.

Crime is a problem but much can be done to combat it in our community. Take preventative measures to secure possessions. If you do become the victim of a crime, then report it to the police.

 We all need to look out for each other also whether that be via information on social media or just being more vigilant when out and about.

The council has brought more CCTV cameras to the area, which has helped combat crime. Redbridge enforcement teams are also active.

There is also the Streetwatch scheme which is operating in some parts of Redbridge, where groups of vetted and trained residents patrol different areas.  This is an option for Wanstead, if people want it and are prepared to come forward and take part.

There are things beyond our control, such as the failure by the government to fully fund the police service. It is becoming more and more apparent across the land that this lack of investment is putting citizens at risk. The government needs to reverse this foolhardy policy.

The situation is not ideal but crime is always going to be with us. What is important though is that we all act to make crime as difficult as possible for the perpetrators to commit. Preventative measures are important, as is reporting crime, for those who become the unfortunate victims. But what is equally important is that we all look out for each other – that means in the physical (real) world as well as online.     

Combatting loneliness

Loneliness is a growing occurance in an ever more atomised world.

More people are living alone, increasingly existing in isolated furrows.

The subject of loneliness came up recently in relation to a new project being launch. There was an instant leap amongst the audience to link loneliness with being old. 

Yes, no doubt loneliness does hit older people, who may get cut off from community due to physical or familial situations. 

It is a sobering thought, getting older, as increasing numbers that we have known die off.
But lyoneliness is certainly not restricted to the elderly - all ages can get cut off.

What of the young people, who feel alone with nowhere to turn - under exam or caring pressures?

Loneliness is something that probably hits everyone at some point in their lives. A family might break up amid acrimonious circumstances. Unemployment can take away work-based companionship. Then there is the increasingly atomised forms of computer based work. The traditional workplace with the travel to and from as well as associated social interaction is becoming less prevalent.

The social media world can disguise loneliness.Quite often people post comments that make you think, haven't you got someone to discuss that with. Why put it out there for all to see?

Loneliness is not simply about an absence of people. Individuals can feel lonely in the largest of family settings, alienated and unheard. There is loneliness in marriage.

And being alone is not loneliness. Many like being alone, others crave more time on their own Loneliness is when the individual does not like being alone and feels isolated and cut off.

This can lead onto mental health issues. A growing phenonema in our society.

Thankfully, loneliness is beginning to be recognised and addressed. There are groups being established to help out. Places where people can go. But everyone can do a bit by just being a little more sensitive to others.

Be prepared to give that time to listen. Don't dismiss people easily and move on. Don't judge others.

If we all make an effort and reach out to our neighbours in the community, then things like loneliness will be less prevalent.

Yes, we need schemes to address loneliness but all can do a bit to be more friendly to those we meet on a daily basis.

Published - 23/5/2019 - Wanstead & Woodford Guardian

We need a massive switch to renewables to avert climate disaster

One of the objectives of the Wanstead Environmental Charter is for greater energy efficiency in the community.

This involves all the different groups covered by the Charter - individuals in their homes, businesses, schools and the council - stepping up to address the issue.

There seems to a remarkable lack of uptake on sustainable energy sources in this area. Visit Norfolk, Suffolk, Sussex or Kent and see houses and fields covered with solar panels.

Travel along to Rainham or out to Rye and off the coast at Broadstairs to see wind turbines turning on a daily basis – producing non-polluting energy.

In Redbridge, a roof with solar panels is a relative rarity. Indeed, I heard one story at the Environmental Charter launch about how a local church had been forced to take panels off the roof of a hall after local complaints. The methodology of Noah’s ark in reverse. This was, though, a few years ago.

If climate disaster is to be averted there has to be a huge transformation to renewable energy. Fossil fuels need to stay in the ground.

In this country, a good start was made about a decade ago, when the then Labour government brought in generous incentives in the form of feed in tariffs (fit) to encourage people to become micro energy generators by having photovoltaic and solar panels put on their roofs. This encouraged many people to take the plunge. However, this subsidy has been whittled away and finally disappeared altogether last month.

Unfortunately, the actions of the present government in no way reflect the rhetoric that they spout. Whilst pronouncing how effective the UK has been at cutting emissions, the government has turned positively hostile toward the sustainable energy industry. It stopped onshore wind turbines (one of the best and cheapest ways of generating energy), cut the (fit) subsidy to solar panels and promoted fracking. A burgeoning renewables sector that was producing more and more jobs was effectively stopped in its tracks.

This approach has to be reversed.

A green deal of the type being promoted by progressive Democrats in the US is the way forward here too. Renewable energy will be key to this approach, with a ban on fossil fuels and the retrofit of old buildings. No new buildings should be being constructed that are not zero carbon efficient. Green roofs can also make a positive contribution.

In London, the Mayor has taken some steps, setting his target of the city becoming zero carbon by 2050. There have been a number of schemes, including the London Community Energy Fund and the Solar Together scheme.

One current scheme is Cleaner Heat Cashback, which encourages Small and Medium-sized Enterprises with 30 to 40% cashback to replace old inefficient heating schemes with new energy efficient alternatives (see: https://www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/business-and-economy/cleaner-heat-cashback). 

Energy efficiency is one of the big challenges facing us – particularly since we seem to be starting from a very low base mark in this area.

All parts of our community need to be looking at how we use energy, what better schemes can be deployed to use less and operate in a cleaner, greener way.

published - Wanstead and Woodford Guardian - 16 & 18 May 2019

 

A good start for Manuel Pellegrini at West Ham, though expectations are now raised for even better next season

^{This was a transitional season for West Ham, with new manager Manuel Pellegrini at the helm promising a bright future for the club.}

^{Pellegrini arrived last June, immediately setting about bringing in nine new signings to galvanise the club.}

^{The future looked promising, with the likes of Felipe Anderson, Andrily Yarmolenko and  Jack Wilshere coming in - a statement of intent.}

^{The start of the season, though,  seemed  to come too early, with the players at times looking like they had not been introduced to each other, let alone played together for the first four games.}

^{But it all changed with the 3-1 away win against Everton in September - Pellegrini’s show was finally on the road.}

^{After that game, the team  had a series of good  results, culminating in a run of five wins in six games in December. The fans were thrilled with the attacking football being served up on a week by week basis. A real return to the West Ham way.}

^{Flare players like Felipe Anderson thrilled the fans with audacious skills, such as with the fantastic curling shot that secured the points against Crystal Palace. Anderson showed flashes of skill reminiscent of Dimitri Payet at his best.}

^{The manager made two great signings in Issa Diop and Fabian Balbuena, who formed an impenetrable barrier at the back. Then Angelo Ogbonna let no one down when he deputised, first, when Balbuena got injured and  then when Diop lost form.}

^{But the pick of the new signings was goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski, who performed heroics between the posts for the whole season. The many points achieved due to Fabianski can only be guessed at but his presence was immense throughout the season.}

<sup>Another huge plus was the development of Declan Rice. He began the season uncertainly, getting dropped for the second game against Arsenal. But after that he was back, growing in stature, playing in the defensive covering midfield position. By the end of the season Rice had added some goals and two England caps to his collection.

Others, like crowd favourite Michail Antonio came back to form, bringing much needed pace and goals to the team.</sup>  

^{Pellegrini’s willingness to give young players a chance was a welcome development, something sadly lacking since the distant days when Gianfranco Zola was manager. As well as Rice, the manager gave Grady Diangana his opportunity.}

^{Others given a chance included Ben Johnson, Conor Coventry and Xande Silva.}  

^{The highlights of the season were the victory at Spurs in April and the significant improvement in home form, which included victories over Arsenal and Manchester United. .}

^{The low points were the poor start, with the four losses and the humiliating FA Cup exit away at AFC Wimbledon. Many had thought it could have been West Ham’s year in the Cup..and it could have been with a little more application at Wimbledon.}

^{So overall it was an exciting season, the best so far at the London stadium, with nine home wins recorded. The team finished strongly with three wins. The final placing of 10th could have been higher, without the inconsistent form, particularly at the start of the season. However, the officials also played their part, late on, denying West Ham five points in the games away at Manchester United and home to Leicester. A bit more consistency would have secured the Hammers 7th and European football.}

^{But all in all fans will be looking forward to next season with anticipation. The club has an excellent manager, who knows what he is doing. Just so long as the board do not start interfering, the team should be able to move up to the next level, bolstered by a few astute signings in the summer.}

^{The manager will be looking at the striking department, which has proved inconsistent. He is likely to shift one or two out and bring some in. Whether Marko Arnautovic is coming or going remains to be seen. He certainly has the potential to be a 20 goal a season player but as Pellegrini has pointed out he needs to remained focused on his role. The team also needs strengthening at the full back positions.}

<sup>Another welcome development this term has seen the board taking  more of a back seat, letting the team and manager do the talking. So a good season, with  expectations high amongst fans for next term.

published - Morning Star - 15/5/2019</sup>

First year as a councillor

It's now a year since we got elected as councillors for Wanstead Village - how time flies?

The year has been busy, dealing with people's day to day problems, as well as trying to help shape the bigger council vision for Redbridge.

Car parking permits, litter bins, planning issues, trees and crime have all figured amongst the casework. Hopefully we have resolved the majority of problems that have come our way.

It was pleasing to be able to get some CCTV cameras in the area to help counter crime. Also, helping to get a bit more help for community  activists like the community gardeners and Wild Wanstead. There is still much more that can be done in the area.

Highlights of the year, included, the Wanstead Festival and Fringe held in September. Both go from strength to strength, attracting ever more participants, with each passing year.

The Remembrance Day commemorations were moving events, bringing people together to mourn and remember.
It has been an exciting time, with the vision for Wanstead including a new swimming pool. a cleaner greener environment and community hubs bringing services together in more accessible form for local residents.
These objectives are at varying levels of development. The pool is all set to begin construction later in the year, with completion hopefully sometime next year.
The environmental charter has started to happen, with litter picks, more biodiversity in the area and moves to address pollution. It is though still early days, with the charter only just launched. The success will depend on how many local people actually come forward to take up the challenge, via taking cleaner journeys. greater energy efficiency, less litter and more recycling, greater biodiversity and reducing individual carbon footprints.
The community hub is still at consultation stage, offering the chance for local residents to shape the building and service provision being provided.
On a Redbridge level, the council has done a good job in balancing the budget and finding new innovative ways of providing services. There are some exciting developments coming along.

A disappointment has been the slowness to act on environmental challenges. There is a climate emergency on us now.

There have been positive moves, like the planting of 15,000 trees in the borough and other efforts to increase biodiversity. But we are slow to bring in major change that could really transform the situation.  Something like the mini-hollands approach to transport and living seen in neighbouring Waltham Forest would really improve the health of people in Redbridge.
Redbridge should become a beacon for sustainable living – going to zero carbon as quick as possible. Hopefully, the motion that we are bringing forward next month, calling on the council to declare a climate emergency, with measurable benchmarks being set to assess progress toward addressing the situation, will help move things forward.

The shadow of Brexit still hands over us all but hopefully that cloud may soon rise.

Overall, the first year has been an interesting and fulfilling time. There has been a glimpse of what can be achieved   – the coming months will show whether those hopes can be realised.