Last month a police raid was carried out on the offices of Nottingham City UNISON and those of the Trade Union Unitary Status Team (TUUST), the joint negotiating body which represents the 17 unions recognised by Nottingham City and County Councils.
In addition to that the homes of the branch secretary, Andy Belfield and Simon Cousins, a former senior steward were also raided.
Police took computers and discs from the union offices. They didn't take anything from the Branch secretary's home (they didn't even question him), but took a number of items from Simon's house, including old lottery tickets - which the CID apparently believed to be some kind of code!
The raid is supposedly part of an investigation into a far-right newsletter called White Rage that had been sent to a number of council tenants and employees including to UNISON activists) on Council headed paper over the last three and a half years.
Antl-fascist
The UNISON branch, including Andy Belfield and Simon Cousins, has a long history of anti-racist and anti-fascist activity, and had made a number of proposals of action the council should take to deal with the racist and sexist literature being sent out.
The only "evidence" that the police could come up with was that Simon had been sacked by the council (and re-instated alter a strike dallot and ne might have a grudge against the council.
Apparently it hasn't to occur to the CID that on this basis most people in Nottingham might have a grudge against the council.
The UNISON offices and their computers are owned by SAVE UCH • AND THE MINDLESEX DEFEND • NO THITION FFES witch hunt! LABOUR FAR: KEEP YOUR B PROMISE