PAGE 9 FEATURES: JOHN HENDY QC ON HIS CRUCIAL EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS BILL

for Peace and Socialism

£1.20 Wednesday May 26 2021 Proudly owned by our readers | Incorporating the Daily Worker | Est 1930 | morningstaronline.co.uk

Pics: Stand up to Racism WORKERS DEMAND ACTION ON RACISM Activists unite in taking the knee one year after Floyd’s murder by Peter Lazenby on his neck for nine minutes and 29 at the hands of police on February 7. then there will be a lot more fami- “We have to keep fighting, we seconds, sparked worldwide protests “Definitely within the police lies grieving, mothers crying at have to go forward.” and the mobilisation of the Black force, there could be more educa- graveyards. There has to be change. Public and Commercial Services ANTI-RACIST campaigners across Lives Matter (BLM) movement. tion with regards to mental health Labour MP Diane Abbott said: “We union general secretary Mark Ser- Britain took the knee yesterday to Yesterday transatlantic messages awareness, educating the police with have to learn from each wotka said that the action in Glas- mark the first anniversary of the of solidarity were relayed between regards to the use of force and learn- other and learn what is gow was an inspiration and “shows murder of George Floyd by police Britain and the US, where the anni- ing a bit more about ethnic happening up and down the power of a united movement.” in the US and to demand action on versary was also marked. minorities in their area the country. “Let’s see many more Glasgows, systemic racism. Elise Bryant of the Coalition of of the country,” he said. “We also have to keep stopping other deportations and From London to Leeds, Birming- Labor Women and United Against “Black history train- fighting and support committing all of us to fight to root ham to Bournemouth, and Sheffield Hate, Washington DC, said: “I join ing should be in there. each other. One of the out racism that is systemic in Brit- to Swansea, workers responded to with you across the waters, across We need to stand up most positive things ain,” he said. calls from the TUC and Stand up geographical boundaries, to envis- together.” that I have seen in Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said to Racism to make the gesture of age an end to the racist attacks on Zainab Hassan, recent weeks was the that the eradication of structural rac- solidarity which has been taken up people of colour around the world a campaigner for response of the com- ism would be a defining cause for the around the world by millions of peo- … it must stop. justice for his munity in Glasgow in next Labour government. ple determined to combat racism. “That is the work we are called nephew Moha- Pollokshields, who came The Met Police revealed yesterday Firefighters took the knee at to do … to demand justice for all.” mud Hassan, out to defend their asy- that Sasha Johnson, a leading black fire stations across the capital, and In Britain, people knelt in work- who died soon lum-seeker neighbours rights activist, was shot in the head University College London Hospital places, parks, community areas and after being from a dawn raid. when a group of four men opened staff knelt to highlight the dispro- more than 20 town and city centres. released from fire at a party she was attending. portionate number of people from Participants included families police custody, CALLING FOR JUSTICE: A Ms Johnson was rushed to hos- black and minority ethnic com- whose loved ones have died while said: “Unless campaigner with Elgin pital with very serious injuries munities who have died during the in police custody in Britain and who there is change, SutR takes the knee, as after the shooting in Peckham, Covid-19 pandemic. are still seeking justice. unless this sys- (top, l-r) workers in south-east London, in the early Mr Floyd’s murder in Minneapolis, Among them was Mohammad tem has a com- schools, hospitals and hours on Sunday. by a white police officer who knelt Bashir, whose brother Mouayed died plete overhaul, offices did the same [email protected]

PAGE 3 NEWS: REPORT DOWNPLAYS ‘EXTREME’ SCALE OF TORY ISLAMOPHOBIA Morning Star morningstaronline.co.uk Wednesday morningstaronline 2 May 26 2021 news @m_star_online

n WALES BARRICADES: Leicester Calls for Delyn MP to go over harassment residents support Palestine Action campaigners at the Elbit LABOUR is calling for the result in the recall of an MP factory on Monday evening immediate resignation of a Tory is absurd and unjust, and the MP after a complaints panel Labour Party will support legis- found he sexually harassed a lation to rectify that injustice,” member of staff. she said on social media. “He After an appeal, the Com- should not be in his role for mons’ Independent Expert another single day more.” Panel found that Delyn MP The complaint was made Rob Roberts made repeated against Mr Roberts in June and unwanted sexual advances 2020. He has claimed that his towards one of his employees. behaviour was not sexual but But the recommended six- “romantic.” week suspension can only be The panel said the sanction imposed if agreed by MPs. reflects its view that the sexual Labour deputy leader Angela misconduct proven amounted Rayner called yesterday for Mr to a serious breach of the Roberts to quit. behaviour code and signifi- “The fact that such serious cantly impacted the wellbeing abuse doesn’t automatically ‘ROMANTIC’: Rob Roberts of the complainant.

n EDUCATION Uni punishing rent strikers,

say aggrieved QM students n DIRECT ACTION by Bethany Rielly given a deadline of May 25 for accommodation and tui- to resume paying their rent. tion for limited face-to-face But now the university has teaching and empty rooms. Hundreds block cops STUDENTS at a London uni- backtracked on refunding A university spokesper- versity say they are being strikers, despite initial prom- son said: “In response to punished for joining a rent ises that no penalties would the national lockdown in strike after management occur as a result of the rent January, Queen Mary offered backtracked on giving them strike, campaigners say. all students in university in solidarity with refunds. QMUL Rent Strike said: accommodation a 30 per cent Campaigners say that “The university is picking reduction on the remaining Queen Mary University of and choosing who to give dis- two terms of their rent agree- London (QMUL) is now with- counts to, which has severely ment. Palestine campaign holding refunds in a bid to impacted the wellbeing and “Following the govern- crack down on rent strikes financial situations of stu- ment’s decision not to allow by Bethany Rielly crowds outside the gates. The power.” The group said one as a form of protest among dents.” all students to return to on- direct action group said that supporter had been arrested for students. The group said: “QMUL campus education in March, supporters managed to delay trying to give food and water Earlier this year, more Rent Strike and Rent Strike we offered a further £1,000 HUNDREDS of protesters tried the arrests for about six hours. to the activists, who had been than 350 students at the east Now are mobilising against reduction in rent to students to resist the arrest of activists And hours after the Leicester occupying the roof of the site London university went on these measures and demand- who were unable to return. occupying an Israeli arms fac- factory protest came to an end, since May 19. strike in order to win com- ing that QMUL not finan- “Both rent reduction tory in Leicester on Monday Palestine Action announced The collective action comes pensation for unused univer- cially punish students for schemes had application night. yesterday that it had occupied after firefighters, who were sity accommodation during exercising their right to deadlines, and we were as Local supporters barricaded another Elbit site in Tamworth, called to assist emergency the Covid crisis. protest.” flexible as possible with stu- the entrance of Elbit’s UAV Tac- Staffordshire. services with the protest last The action was called off Thousands of students dents in our residences wish- tical Systems factory to disrupt Three activists scaled the week, decided to leave the on May 16 after campaign- took part in rent strikes at ing to apply for the schemes police efforts to remove two Elite KL factory, which pro- site, saying: “The Fire Brigades ers secured rent discounts universities across the coun- at the time. The schemes arrested activists following a duces military technology and Union stand in support of Pales- of up to £2,500 for students try earlier this year amid have now both been closed six-day occupation of the site. hardware for tanks, in a bid to tinian solidarity and the right in halls as well as other growing frustration at being for some time.” The activists, who are mem- shut down weapons production. to protest.” measures and students were forced to fork out huge fees [email protected] bers of Palestine Action, were Palestine Action described A spokesperson from Pales- eventually removed and taken efforts by Leicester residents tine Action said: “The collective to the police station after riot to disrupt arrests as an “act power and solidarity of people police forcibly dispersed of community solidarity and in Britain continues to grow in n INDUSTRIAL Amazon shareholders urged to step in OCCUPATION: Palestine Action campaigners take AMAZON shareholders must Bangladesh closed in a union- Unite executive officer Sha- to the roof at the Elite KL intervene over the “shocking” busting move. ron Graham said: “Whether it’s factory in Tamworth treatment of the company’s Ahead of an expected expan- the UK, Cambodia, Bangladesh supply-chain workers, Unite sion of its operations in Britain, or the US, Amazon is associated demanded yesterday. Unite is calling on Amazon to with anti-union tactics and poor To coincide with the delivery allow staff to form a union treatment. It’s time for share- giant’s sharehold- holders to demand ers’ meeting today, action. activists will protest “Workers and outside Amazon’s campaigners for Fashion Studio in social justice are in a London’s East End to battle with Amazon highlight the corpora- on a global scale to tion’s poor treatment protect workers’ of people and its use rights. It’s a battle of anti-union tactics we are determined around the world. to win.” Examples include underpaid without fear, accusing chief An Amazon spokesperson workers in Cambodia being executive Jeff Bezos of spend- claimed: “We are committed tricked into signing resigna- ing millions to stop workers to continuously supporting tion letters during the Covid- in Alabama unionising earlier our suppliers, their workers, 19 pandemic and a factory in this year. and their communities.” morningstaronline.co.uk Morning Star morningstaronline Wednesday @m_star_online news May 26 2021 3

n SCHOOL DINNERS n SINGH REPORT 400,000 more TORY ANTI-MUSLIM kids on bread line during pandemic BIGOTRY ‘GOES ALL

by Ceren Sagir meals, ensuring families get the full value of this support and enabling parents to buy FOUR-HUNDRED thousand the food and supplies that THE WAY TO TOP’ children have become eligi- are right for their children. …and MCM says review fails to address party’s structural Islamophobia ble for free school meals dur- Shadow education secre- ing the pandemic, Labour tary Kate Green said: “The by Bethany Rielly fact that the governing party analysis of government data Conservatives have failed to contains such levels of racism estimates. support families throughout is an incredibly serious issue The party is calling for this pandemic and are now A D AMNING report has identi- because of the direct effect on free school meals to be reliant on local councils fied widespread Islamophobia government policy and the extended over next week’s to plug gaps in free school in the Tory Party as well as prevalence of Islamophobia in half-term and summer holi- meals support throughout failures to investigate internal society. days. the holidays. Feeding chil- allegations of racism. “These issues must be From March to December dren is not a half-time activ- The long-awaited review into urgently addressed, and maxi- 2020, more than 418,000 ity.” discrimination in the Conserva- mum pressure brought on the children became eligible National Education Union tive Party published yesterday Tories to respect Muslim com- for the support as families joint general secretary Kevin found that two thirds of all munities and listen to their struggled under the pan- Courtney said: “We urge such complaints related to experience.” demic. government to act imme- Islamophobia. Labour’s shadow women & During this time, the diately to ensure that no Report author Professor equalities secretary Marsha de Conservatives voted against child misses a meal during Swaran Singh said comments Cordova described the report their opposition to the British feeding children during the the school holidays and to made by Prime Minister Boris as “a damning indictment of state’s and police’s complicity October half-term. do everything in its power Johnson comparing women the discrimination rife in the in protecting Israel’s largest Currently, the Tories’ to tackle the social injustices wearing burkas to letterboxes Conservative Party — and it arms manufacturer, which programme proposes pro- that push so many families and bank robbers gave the goes all the way up to the Prime profits from war crimes, ethnic viding food and activities into poverty across the UK.” impression of being “insensi- DAMNING: Marsha de Cordova Minister.” cleansing and murder globally.” to children eligible for free Labour’s analysis follows tive to Muslim communities.” The independent review was Leicester East MP Claudia school meals for just half of calls on the government to Complaints were handled by tigation primarily deals with set up in 2019 following a series Webbe said the direct action the summer holiday, leaving step up and tackle child food an under-resourced and inad- form over substance. Procedure of serious allegations of Islamo- at the factory is “indicative of children at risk of going poverty during Monday’s equately trained team that is important, but it needs to be phobia in the Tory Party. the widespread opposition to hungry for the other half parliamentary debate trig- fell short of best practice, the underpinned by dealing with Initially called to solely war crimes in my home city.” of the break. gered by footballer Marcus report adds, saying an overhaul the deep-seated issues of insti- investigate Islamophobia in the “The fact that hundreds of Labour is calling on the Rashford’s 1.1 million-strong of the system was needed. tutional racism. party, the review was later wid- Leicester residents came to the government to set up cash petition. But the report said no evi- “We hope that this is the ened — and, critics say, watered aid of activists shows the depth transfers for free school [email protected] dence was found to suggest a starting point of the party’s down — to cover all forms of of feeling in our community,” problem of institutional racism own self-reflection.” discrimination, prompting crit- she said. “Leicester has a proud in the party. Hope Not Hate said Islamo- icism and whitewash concerns. history of anti-war activism, The Muslim Council of Brit- phobia in the Tory Party “runs It has also faced criticism and this is part of our peace- n SCOTLAND ain (MCB) said the review fell much deeper” than the few over its narrow remit, which ful tradition of protest.” short of acknowledging the case studies included in Prof unlike the Equality and Human Ms Webbe said government root causes of bigotry among Singh’s report. The campaign- Rights Commission’s probe into failures to end weapons sales to Education-system reform Tory ranks and fails to address ing group warned that “reforms anti-semitism in the Labour Israel that could be used unlaw- structural Islamophobia. to structures and processes will Party, did not issue an open call fully against Palestinians led ‘must be post-C-19 priority’ The council pointed out that not be enough” without steps for evidence from civic society to Leicester activists “taking the 44,000-page report did not to address widespread Islamo- beyond the party. matters into their own hands.” REFORMING Scotland’s edu- ers would be supported to cover a YouGov poll by Tory phobic views among the mem- Tory chairwoman Amanda “I am proud to stand in cation system must be a post- make the most of their skills members commissioned by bership. Milling said the party acknowl- solidarity with everyone, in Covid priority for new Educa- and expertise.” Hope Not Hate that found that Anti-racism campaigners also edged failings in the com- Leicester and around the world, tion Secretary Shirley-Anne General secretary Dr Patrick almost half of the membership criticised the review, saying it plaints process and will begin who are peacefully protesting Somerville, teachers’ union Roach said: “Such a system must believe Islam is a threat to the “downplayed the extreme levels work on implementing the against the endless suffering NASUWT said yesterday. be built on the principle of valu- British way of life. of Islamophobia in the party.” recommendations. of the Palestinian people,” she The union said that the ing and empowering teachers MCB general secretary Zara Stand up to Racism co-con- [email protected] added. founding principles of Scot- to do their best for their pupils. Mohammed said: “The inves- vener Sabby Dhalu said: “The Star Comment: p8 Leicestershire Police said land’s curriculum have been “We will be pressing the officers in riot gear had been lost through an overemphasis new Education Secretary to deployed after protesters fired on assessment and bureaucracy. recognise the need for a change “missiles” and attempted to It fears that teachers are of direction so we can build a blockade the gates. being disempowered by system which is genuinely Officers arrested five peo- high workloads and world-class and which ple, including the two roof- aren’t being allowed equips all children and top activists, who remained in the flexibility to young people with the custody yesterday afternoon. meet the needs skills, confidence and Police said three protesters had of all pupils. knowledge to thrive.” been arrested for aiding and The union called abetting aggravated trespass for the forthcoming and have since been released independent review DIRECTION CHANGE: on bail. of the curriculum to NASUWT general secretary The occupation of the Leices- begin the development Patrick Roach ter factory began last Wednes- of a system “in day during Israel’s 11-day which the needs bombardment of Gaza, which of all pupils killed 248 people, including 65 would be children. recog- Palestine Action argues that nised and drones manufactured at the teach- Leicester factory are deployed by the Israeli military in the besieged enclave. [email protected] Morning Star morningstaronline.co.uk Wednesday morningstaronline 4 May 26 2021 news @m_star_online n ANTI-UNION LEGISLATION n UNITE CONTEST Graham first STUC welcomes to reach 175 radical SNP policy branch target SHARON GRAHAM has sealed by Niall Christie critically, to ensure that there her place on the ballot paper is no fire and rehire in any for the Unite general secre- Scottish-funded public body. tary election, the union con- THE STUC has welcomed a “The report offers a range firmed yesterday. report drawn up by the SNP of policies, some which should Candidates need nomina- which lays out radical policy be enacted now, some which tions from 175 branches to plans for Scotland. would require further devolu- contest the election this sum- The party’s Social Justice and tion or independence. mer. Ms Graham, who would Fairness Commission sets out an “If the SNP government has be Unite’s first female leader agenda for an independent Scot- ambitions to win the case for if elected, reached 176 nomina- land that includes an overhaul the latter, it must lay down tions late on Monday evening of anti-trade union legislation. some clear markers now after she was backed in the ART IS POLITICAL: Amelia, 9, and The report calls for a “roll- to deliver in areas where it Glasgow Hospitality hustings. Joshua, 6, interact with a 3.5 metre back” of laws introduced by already has the policy levers Ms Graham, one of three hourglass in Potter’s Field, London, by former prime minister David to improve people’s lives.” assistant general secretaries clean water charity WaterAid ahead of Cameron, the raising of the The report also calls for a running, was the first candidate the G7 leaders’ summit in June that real living wage and ending new immigration system for to pass the required threshold. illustrates the urgency of the climate the exploitative use of zero- Scotland, calling for freedom of Howard Beckett, assistant crisis that is leading to more people hours contracts. movement between the coun- general secretary for politics & being forced into water scarcity Moves towards a four-day try and the EU to be restored legal, is also standing, as is his week are also included, but and asylum-seekers to be given counterpart for manufacturing trade unionists have said the the right to work. Steve Turner, who is backed by government should use more of The publication comes as the the union’s United Left. the levers now at its disposal to people of Glasgow have been Gerard Coyne, who was make these changes a reality. urged to continue to oppose the beaten by retiring leader Len STUC general secretary Roz brutal and inhumane UK Home McCluskey in the last leadership Foyer said: “While delivery on Office immigration regime. election in 2017, is regarded as these issues ultimately requires Scottish Greens co-leader the right-wing option. the Scottish Parliament to have Patrick Harvie said communi- Nominations close on June 6 powers over employment law, ties must be resourced to allow and the executive council will the government must look at them to resist the removal of confirm the candidates by June all current levers it holds to asylum-seekers. 10. The result of the ballot is make progress on this, and [email protected] expected on August 26.

n JEREMY CORBYN Grassroots birthday rally to

Announcement demand: restore the whip by Our News Desk Would the following member please contact the office to update their details: LABOUR Grassroots activists will hold a celebration for Jer- Mr Mark Best - Wallasey emy Corbyn on his birthday today as they call for “one of Email enquiries@peoples-press. Labour’s greatest MPs in his- com or phone Bernadette: tory” to have the whip restored. Activists both inside and 0778 0220-391 outside the party are being invited to attend the online party, which will feature speakers including Labour MPs John McDonnell, Richard Burgon, Zarah Sultana, Unite leadership contender Howard Beckett and former aide to Mr FEELING THE LOVE: Campaigners are Corbyn, Karie Murphy. holding a birthday celebration for the But a major part of the event Labour Party’s former leader will be through the tributes ADVERTISE from grassroots campaigners from across the country and committee (NEC), Labour read- On Sunday, Mr McDonnell him at the same time as high- is aimed to coincide with the mitted Mr Corbyn the following said that allowing Mr Corbyn lighting the obvious need for • The world’s only socialist daily Twitterstorm to restore the month, but party leader Sir Keir back into the Parliamentary the PLP to return him to the whip to Mr Corbyn. Starmer refused to allow him Labour Party would demon- Labour benches. in the English language Mr Corbyn was suspended to sit as a Labour MP. strate Sir Keir’s desire to “unite” “Without Jeremy in the • See your ad in print and online from the party in October, Campaigners in the party as the party, which faced further party, morale has fallen and after 54 years of member- well as its MPs have consistently defeat in last month’s elections. Labour’s electoral prospects • Bespoke designs available ship, for his response to an called for his reinstatement, Ahead of the birthday event, are dreadful.” Equality and Human Rights with Jewish residents of his Labour Grassroots host Crispin It is expected that Mr Cor- • Prices as low as £60 Commission (EHRC) report Islington North constituency Flintoff said: “Jeremy Corbyn byn will join the party at some on Labour’s handling of anti- writing an open letter in his deserves a celebration after all point in the evening. semitism complaints. defence and the Socialist Cam- he’s had to put up with even To register to take part for BOOK YOURS TODAY: After his suspension had paign Group warning that a fail- now that he’s not Labour leader. free, visit: http://gyg5.2.vu/jer- [email protected] been reviewed by members of ure to restore the whip would be “We want to show Jeremy emybirthday. the party’s national executive “damaging” to the party. the strength of support behind [email protected] morningstaronline.co.uk Morning Star morningstaronline Wednesday @m_star_online news May 26 2021 5

n STATUS OF WORKERS BILL UNIONS BACK LAW TO END SCOURGE OF INSECURE WORK SECURITY: Legislation will be presented in the House of Lords today by Matt Trinder “gig” workers, employed on their workforce in a perpetual Industrial reporter zero-hours contracts or hired state of insecurity. through agencies. “For years this state of affairs The Bill’s backers warn that has been justified in the name UNIONS have backed new leg- many of these workers are clas- of ‘flexibility.’ The proposals islation due to be presented to sified as “false self-employed:” laid out today will provide for the House of Lords today that they are, in reality, employ- true flexibility, for both work- aims to abolish the scourge of ees, but are tricked by bosses ers and employers.” insecure work. into paying their own tax and BFAWU general secretary The Status of Workers Bill, national insurance while being Sarah Woolley warned that which will be introduced by offered no employment rights ministers had gone “Awol on Lord John Hendy QC with such as holiday or sick pay. workers’ rights” at a time when the backing of GMB and the The genuinely self- key workers had been hit hard- food workers’ union BFAWU, employed are unaffected by est by the pandemic. aims to outlaw endemic work- the proposed legislation, but “The human cost of this has ing arrangements that leave the others will be reclassified been enormous, especially millions unable to rely on a as workers and entitled to all during the crisis. We cannot regular wage. employment rights. allow anyone to live in fear This comes after unions Unions stress the change will like this,” she said. reacted with dismay earlier particularly benefit black and GMB national officer Mick this month when Prime Min- Asian minority-ethnic workers, Rix said: “The government rec- ister Boris Johnson’s long- women and those with disabili- ognised this problem years ago promised employment Bill ties, as they are more likely to and promised to legislate. It was once again missing from be trapped in insecure work. has broken that promise again the Queen’s Speech. Lord Hendy, who is chair- and again. About one in nine people man of the Institute of Employ- “Government cannot keep in employment — 3.7 mil- ment Rights, said: “Insecure burying its head in the sand lion workers — are in inse- workers often have so few any longer; if it wants to ‘build cure work, defined as jobs protections that the employer back better,’ then it should with no guaranteed salary. is essentially free to hire and demonstrate its support.” These individuals are often fire at will, thereby keeping [email protected]

n GREEN REVOLUTION IRAQ DEMO: A protest outside the Iraqi embassy in London supported by the Iraqi Communist Party as part RMT: ‘Workers must not be left behind’ of demonstrations against the killing of peaceful anti-government protesters in Iraq A JUST transition to renewa- cent by the end of the decade. “Our members are not bles is needed, the RMT union That figure is expected to be hearing anything from has warned, as research sug- offset by 90,000 new jobs in off- employers on how they can n CAPITALISM gests green energy will over- shore wind and 40,000 vacan- retrain for work in offshore take fossil fuels as the main cies in other offshore green wind and other green growth source of employment in the industries such as hydrogen sectors, despite heavy invest- North Sea by 2030. and carbon capture. ment in UK offshore wind EX-Post Office boss plans A report from Robert Gor- RMT general secretary Mick farms,” he said. don University predicts a fall Lynch welcomed the report as “This report is further evi- in direct and indirect employ- an important step towards dence that industry needs to ment for 70,000 workers in a net-zero carbon world, but put its money where its mouth to sell off Liverpool Victoria offshore oil and gas as daily warned workers must not be is and work with trade unions production drops by 37 per left behind. on a just transition for all.” by Matt Trinder to demutualise the insurance letter to former Tory MP Brooks Industrial reporter giant when he oversaw its con- Newmark in 2009. version into a company limited To date, 45 former employ- by guarantee and therefore ees have had their convictions n MOSSMORRAN A FORMER Post Office boss without shareholders in 2019. overturned. who oversaw the subpost- Mr Thomas, who warned Mr In the House of Commons master wrongful prosecution Cook could make millions from earlier this month, Mr Thomas Greens call for action on polluting plant scandal wants to sell off Liv- the deal, is urging ministers to said: “[LV was] originally DANGEROUS hydrocarbons hydrocarbons at the plant Ministers must take erpool Victoria (LV) originally investigate the sale. founded to help working people released at Mossmorran in 2019. urgent action over the Fife created to help workers avoid Senior Post Office manage- to avoid the Victorian scandal show an urgent need for It follows a similar plant, the Greens say. a pauper’s funeral, Labour ment under Mr Cook pursued of a pauper’s funeral. government intervention, report submitted by the Mark Ruskell MSP said has warned. managers for alleged theft, “Presumably Mr Cook the Scottish Greens warned Scottish Environment Pro- the complaint “raises seri- Shadow minister for inter- fraud and false account- expects to make millions yesterday. tection Agency in July 2020 ous doubts about the oper- national trade Gareth Thomas ing even though they were from the deal. I urge minis- Fife’s Exxon Mobil plant calling for prosecution in ator’s commitment to even said that Alan Cook, Post warned a glitch in the com- ters to take the opportunity is facing prosecution after relation to flaring at the the most basic compliance Office managing director pany’s Horizon computer to investigate.” a second public body sub- Mossmorran complex in issues. from 2006 to 2010 and now LV system may have incorrectly An LV spokesperson said mitted complaints about April 2019. “With that in mind, it’s chairman, is driving the sale identified missing money. the sale was being driven breaches of regulations at clear they cannot be left to of the 178-year-old friendly Some subpostmasters were solely by the best long-term the site. FOLLOW US their own devices when it society to US private equity wrongly imprisoned and many interests of members as Bain The Health & Safety Exec- comes to tackling the cli- giant Bain Capital. were declared bankrupt after Capital had an “unrivalled utive (HSE) has submitted a ON TWITTER mate emergency,” he said. The Labour Co-op MP for Mr Cook insisted that there was and long-term commitment” formal report to the Procu- @M_Star_Online Exxon Mobil was Harrow West pointed out “no evidence to doubt the integ- to LV’s future prospects. rator Fiscal over leaks of approached for comment. that Mr Cook promised not rity of the Horizon system” in a [email protected] Morning Star morningstaronline.co.uk Wednesday morningstaronline 6 May 26 2021 world @m_star_online n WEST AFRICA n BRIGADER Spanish Mali in crisis after soldiers civil war detain president and PM hero dies by Our Foreign Desk aged 101 JOSEP ALMUDEVER MATEU, the last surviving International THE United Nations has Brigader who fought General demanded the immediate Francisco Franco’s forces in release of Malian President Bah Spain, died yesterday at the Ndaw and Prime Minister Moc- age of 101. tar Ouane after the pair were He was born to Spanish par- detained yesterday by soldiers, ents in Marseille but returned prompting fears of a second to Spain, where he taught adult coup in the space of a year. classes and read newspapers to They were taken to a mili- the illiterate. tary camp in Kati, about 10 After the fascist coup in 1936 miles from the capital Bamako, he enlisted to join the fight to according to security sources. defend the Republic. Initially Their detention came hours deemed too young, he eventu- after the formation of a new ally saw combat on the Aragon government. The army is front, where he was wounded. reportedly unhappy over the Once recovered, he used exclusion of two military com- STRIKE BACK: Police in Bamako monitor a protest by striking workers his French passport to join manders who led the coup last yesterday against the arrest of Malian government leaders the International Brigades year against the former presi- and stayed with them until dent Ibrahim Boubacar Keita. release of those detained. istration to include representa- they were demobilised as the It is believed that Defence Mali has been hit by politi- tives of civic society and other war slipped away from the Minister Souleymane Doucoure cal instability and strike political parties. Republicans. has also been arrested. action by the country’s main The latest developments On April 1 1939 he was In a phone call late on trade union confederation the come just nine months after imprisoned in the Albatera Monday night Mr Ouane told National Union of Workers over mass protests led to the oust- camp with 17,000 Republican Agence France-Presse that “sol- deepening poverty and a fail- ing of Mr Keita, which was prisoners and condemned to diers have come to get me,” ure to tackle a jihadist insur- welcomed by a large major- death for the crime of “aid to before the line went dead. gency in the country’s volatile ity of Malians. But anger is the rebellion.” The African Union, the Eco- border areas. growing over the slow pace of This was later reduced to 12 nomic Community of West Afri- Mr Ndaw dissolved the reforms and the timetable for years’ imprisonment and Mr can States and the European interim government in May elections and the restoration of Almudever was released on Union have also demanded the and called on Mr Ouane to form democracy. grounds of good conduct in immediate and unconditional a new, more inclusive, admin- [email protected] November 1942. n WEST PAPUA

Indonesia hypocritical on n PALESTINE Israel’s mass arrests continue rights abuses, Wenda says as Blinken meets Netanyahu by Steve Sweeney “The stated aim of the opera- MASS arrests of Palestinians International editor tions is to wipe out all resist- continued yesterday as at ance to Indonesian colonialism. least 18 people were hauled When you displace villagers, in following raids in various INDONESIA’S government has they lose their hunting ground, parts of the occupied West been accused of hypocrisy after their home, their entire Bank, the Palestinian Pris- it spoke out on Myanmar and way of life. oners’ Society reported. Palestine but rejected a United “This is systematic eth- Nine were detained in Nations resolution calling for nic cleansing, part of a long- Jerusalem, with arrest opera- the prevention of genocide and running strategy of Jakarta’s tions also taking place in ethnic cleansing. occupation to take over our Jenin, Nablus, Jericho and Leader of the United Libera- lands and populate them with Hebron, as police smashed in tion Movement for West Papua Indonesian settlers and multi- the doors of family homes. (ULMWP) Benny Wenda (pic- national corporations.” A young man was arrested tured) hit out at Jakarta for Mr Wenda said that units by Israeli mista’avrim condemning the abuses while at now deployed to West Papua (undercover) agents in the STICKING TOGETHER: (l-r) Antony the same time “desperately try- have held sickening competi- village of az-Za’ayyem, east Blinken and Benjamin Netanyahu ing to cover up its own crimes the independence movement. “The evidence is now over- tions “to see who can kill my of Jerusalem, for posting a against humanity in West Papua Resistance to the Indone- whelming that Indonesia has people more efficiently” and video on social media. of his four-day visit to the and trying to ensure their per- sian occupation has been committed crimes against steal the most land. Tel Aviv announced its Middle East. petual impunity at the UN.” branded “terrorism” by current humanity, colonialism, ethnic “Those most able to wipe “law and order” operations Washington has been criti- Indonesia formally annexed President Joko Widodo, who cleansing and genocide in West out our population will gain on Sunday following its cised for blocking agreement West Papua via a sham referen- ordered a major crackdown Papua,” Mr Wenda said. in rank. My people have been brutal 11-day onslaught on on a ceasefire statement on dum, the so-called Act of Free last month in response to the “The same week as the UN turned into an object of Jakar- Gaza: more than 1,500 Pal- three occasions at the UN Choice, in 1969: just over 1,000 assassination of a key military vote, the Indonesian military ta’s imperial games,” he said. estinian citizens of Israel are security council. people — less than 0.01 per cent intelligence official. — including ‘Satan’s troops,’ The independence leader has now believed to have been President Joe Biden of the population — were hand- Jakarta mobilised some implicated in genocide in called for Jakarta to stop block- taken into custody. backed Israel’s right to picked to ratify the occupation, 21,000 troops to West East Timor — were attack- ing the UN High Commissioner US Secretary of State “defend itself” during its many of them at gunpoint. Papua, with popular peace- ing Papuan villages, killing for Human Rights from sending Antony Blinken arrived in bombardment of Gaza and Since then 500,000 West ful resistance leader Victor unarmed women and children a delegation to West Papua and Israel yesterday for talks approved the sale of $735 Papuans are estimated to Yeimo detained earlier this and adding to the over 50,000 called on all Indonesian troops with Prime Minister Ben- million (£520m) in precision- have been killed as Indonesian month and ULMWP political people displaced since Decem- to leave West Papua to prevent jamin Netanyahu. He then guided weapons to Israel at forces have continued to wage bureau official Frans Wasini ber 2018,” the independence a catastrophe. met Palestinian President the height of the massacre a brutal clampdown to crush also arrested. leader said. [email protected] Mahmoud Abbas as part of Palestinians. morningstaronline.co.uk Morning Star morningstaronline Wednesday @m_star_online world May 26 2021 7

n BELARUS HOUSING FOR ALL: A protester throws confetti over riot police in Barcelona, Spain, yesterday, as activists MINSK’S ACTIONS tried to stop the eviction of Axel Altadill, 28, from his flat, which authorities said he has squatted since January 2019 ‘NO EXCUSE FOR REGIME CHANGE’ Communists slam plane grounding but back Belarusian sovereignty by Steve Sweeney to have travelled to Ukraine The Communist Party of International editor in 2014 to join the neonazi Greece (KKE) accused the US Azov Battalion during the and EU of double standards Maidan protests. on human rights, which it said THE European Union and He is said to have volun- they have previously used as the United States have been teered as a photographer and the pretext for “dozens of impe- criticised for interfering in worked in a press capacity for rialist interventions and wars.” the internal affairs of Bela- the organisation. The Western powers sup- rus, using the “unacceptable” Photographs circulating ported neonazi organisations grounding of a Ryanair plane to on social media appeared to in Ukraine, “baptising them as press for regime change. show him participating in the activists,” a KKE statement said. EU leaders promised new tearing down of a statue of It highlighted the foiling of sanctions on Belarus after a Lenin, while another appeared a recent coup attempt involv- flight from Greece to Lithuania to show him wearing a ing military forces in Belarus was grounded on Sunday and Nazi SS helmet. and a plan to assassinate Mr passenger Roman Protasevich, A number of opposition Lukashenko, saying they were a Belarusian opposition jour- media organisations call- “a reminder of interventions nalist, was arrested. ing for the overthrow of Mr in Latin American countries.” Officials in Minsk claimed Lukashenko are accused of While branding the forced that they were responding being funded by the US and grounding of the Ryanair to a bomb threat when they its shady soft-power agency flight in Minsk unacceptable, scrambled fighter jets, forcing the National Endowment the KKE said: “The people of Ryanair flight FR4978 to land for Democracy. Belarus themselves are the sole in the Belarusian capital. Mr Protasevich’s Nexta [people] responsible to choose But EU officials accused Live channel on the Tel- their future and determine Minsk of hijacking the plane. egram instant messaging the political developments They backed banning Belaru- app is charged with playing in their country, without for- sian airlines from flying over a leading role in co-ordinat- eign interventions that serve EU territory and called on Euro- ing the attempted ouster of other purposes.” pean airlines to avoid flying Mr Lukashenko. [email protected] over Belarus. Mr Protasevich faces terrorism charges for n PRESS FREEDOM his reporting on protests against President Alexan- der Lukashenko, which began after contested Call for solidarity before election results last August. But the jour- nalist’s far- reporter’s trial in Turkey right connec- tions have by Steve Sweeney helicopter, one of whom died. him, saying he has been a since been International editor Mr Aslan was detained in journalist for two years and revealed: Mr ESCALATION: Baggage is inspected after a Ryanair January and is being held in the has “never been a member of Protasevich flight carrying Belarusian opposition figure Roman Antalya L-type closed prison. any illegal structure” and has is reported Protasevich (left, in detention) was grounded JOURNALISTS, trade unionists He is charged with being a no political affiliations. and human rights organisations member of a terrorist organi- The British National Union have been urged to take action sation and “making news that of Journalists general sec- in solidarity with Mesopotamia provokes the masses.” retary Michelle Stanistreet n INDIA Agency (MA) reporter Mehmet The Dicle Firat Journalists condemned the arrest of Mr Aslan ahead of his court hearing Association (DFG), formed in Aslan and called on the Turkish in Istanbul, Turkey, today. response to the major unions’ state to end its persecution of BJP outraged by ‘manipulated media’ claim Reporters at the agency failures to defend Kurdish jour- journalists. POLICE served notice on replies by Twitter India ment’s handling of the told the Morning Star that it nalists, said that once again its Ms Stanistreet said: “The Twitter in India yesterday [managing director] have coronavirus pandemic. was essential to take a stand profession is under trial. NUJ is gravely concerned about after the social media been very ambiguous,” a But Congress denied and “build a stronger voice for “News, interviews with news [the trial] of Mehmet Aslan on giant labelled a tweet police statement said. creating the document the freedom of journalists” sources, broadcasting news on trumped-up charges.” by the ruling Bharatiya “It appears that Twit- and complained to Twit- who are persecuted for their television: all of these activities She pointed out that Janata Party (BJP) spokes- ter has some information ter, leading it to mark professional activities. are referred to as accusations many journalists are already man Sambit Patra “manip- which is not known to some of the posts as MA is frequently targeted by in the indictment,” it said in behind bars for voicing ulated media.” us, on the basis of which “manipulated media.” the Turkish state. Two of its jour- a statement. Those who carry criticism of President Recep Complaints were raised they have classified it as Earlier this year Twitter nalists were held for months out “courageous reporting” are Tayyip Erdogan. by the BJP over the clas- such. This information is complied with an emer- in relation to the so-called consistently branded terrorists “The NUJ sends a message of sification of Mr Patra’s relevant to the enquiry,” gency order removing Van case, after they exposed and punished by the judiciary, solidarity to him and all jour- tweet, leading to the the statement added. some posts critical of the atrocities committed by the the DFG said. nalists in Turkey being crimi- police attending the Twit- BJP members had been government’s response to military, including throwing Mr Aslan has previously nalised for doing their job.” ter offices in the Indian sharing screenshots of a the pandemic. two Kurdish farmers from a denied the charges against [email protected] capital Delhi. document they said was It had previously been “This was necessary as fake and had been created criticised after revers- we wanted to ascertain by the main opposition ing decisions to block who is the right person party Congress to sow accounts supportive of the MORNINGSTARONLINE.CO.UK The socialist news hub to serve a notice [to], as discord over the govern- ongoing farmers’ dispute. Morning Star morningstaronline.co.uk Wednesday morningstaronline 8 May 26 2021 features @m_star_online

Star comment Tory Islamophobia and Labour whips: the elite The state of the art doesn’t care about racism

THE long-awaited Singh report into Islamophobia in the Conservative Party has failed to satisfy Muslims inside or in medical cleaning outside the party. Former Tory MEP Sajjad Karim calls it a “whitewash” while Muslim Council of Britain secretary-general Zara Moham- med accuses it of prioritising “form over substance” and calls for the Equality and Human Rights Commission to investigate possible breaches of the law. technology Evidence of Islamophobia in the Tory Party is rife — Hope Not Hate found last year that 60 per cent of party members believe myths about no-go areas in Britain where sharia law applies, OSPITAL clean- while 57 per cent expressed negative views about Muslims. ing has taken Despite such statistics, we will not see the wall-to-wall on a new Cleaners in Lewisham came out to media coverage over weeks and months, the interviews prominence in with embittered staff or the derailing of every Tory policy our collective announcement with questions about the party’s racism consciousness. protest after their contracts were slashed problem that we witnessed when it came to allegations We’veH come to understand the of anti-semitism in Labour, which affected a far smaller importance of the attention to by an employer that intends to invest in proportion of members (the comprehensive study Bad News detail that cleaners practice for Labour estimated that 0.3 per cent of Labour members every day. They have a crucial were accused of anti-semitism at some point). role: key workers who are as automated cleaning machines instead. The incidents highlighted by the Singh report go right to vital to public health as medical the top: the Prime Minister himself compared women who staff themselves. wear the burqa to “letterboxes” and “bank robbers.” Some However, in many hospitals But is this option really even possible? Muslims conclude that there is a hierarchy of racisms: that cleaning services are con- the British Establishment take anti-semitism more seriously tracted out. Cleaning staff are than Islamophobia. placed outside normal hospital pay and working conditions. Their vital cleaning work is divided from closely associ- But this is not the real reason the report’s verdict of an ated cleaning done by other Islamophobic Tory Party will struggle to make headlines. employees like nurses, health- That lies in the political priorities of the Establishment-con- care assistants and porters. trolled media. These do not include challenging Islamophobia Throughout the Covid-19 (which many national dailies have a grim record of encour- pandemic, cleaners in Britain aging). But nor do they include challenging anti-semitism. have been subject to appalling If they did, we would have seen the Tories grilled long pay and conditions. In a better and hard about their links to anti-semitic parties in the society, the pandemic might European Conservatives and Reformists Group when they have resulted in improvements. sat in the European Parliament. As it is, it seems the increas- We would see Sir Keir Starmer questioned about his decision ingly privatised NHS continues to promote Rachel Reeves to shadow chancellor, given her previ- to look for “technical solutions” ous calls for a statue to Nazi sympathiser and anti-semite Lady in the form of “automated room Astor. We do not because Britain’s ruling class is uninterested disinfection systems.” in the fight against either form of racism. It is very interested, A 2020 review by JA Otter however, in the fight against socialism and anti-imperialism. et al, a prominent team of sci- That is why Establishment papers like the Times and entists in the field of medical Telegraph were full of disgraceful insinuations that the cleaning machines, analyses hundreds of thousands who protested in solidarity with the efficacy and otherwise of Palestine during Israel’s recent assault on Gaza were moti- two sorts of “automated” clean- vated by anti-semitism. ers, against an ideological back- drop of worker replacement in tion of personnel, inadequate So what is this new tech- Unlike the HPV machines, hospital cleaning services. time to do the job properly; nology? There are two sorts of the ward does not need to be Cleaner hospitals means insufficient (or nonexistent) machines: HPV (hydrogen per- hermetically sealed to stop It is why the only Labour leader ever with a record of less infection of vulnerable cleaning prior to disinfection; oxide vapour) and UV (ultravio- the poison leaking out, mak- anti-racist political activity has been subjected to a fero- people within the institution incorrect formulation of the let) cleaners. These two types of ing it easier to control. The cious character assassination campaign, and why he was where they are being treated. disinfectant; and contamina- cleaning robot work have very UV light only cleans surfaces suspended from the Parliamentary Labour Party for making Although Covid-19 is a key tion of cleaning solutions/ little in common but are sold by with a direct line of sight to the the entirely accurate observation that the scale of anti- factor here, with up to 9,000 materials.” the same suppliers and touted as machine so it doesn’t clean any- semitism in Labour was exaggerated by his political enemies. people estimated to have died Instead of identifying a prob- the solution to hospital cleaning. thing in shadow. All surfaces That suspension remains in place nearly seven months from Covid-19 contracted in lem in employment, the team HPV machines vaporise must be manually cleaned later, in defiance of the ruling of the NEC panel on his case. hospital, this has always been sees the solution as a techni- hydrogen peroxide, a strong before using the UV. Starmer’s bid to isolate Corbyn at Westminster has not important: the bacteria MRSA cal one: simply by choosing poison. They are left in an air- On the face of it, these are diminished his influence outside it: from his enthusiastic and E. coli have been particular the right robot, these problems tight evacuated ward or room exciting new technological reception at the mass Palestine demos to the huge audiences concerns in recent decades. can be eliminated. They quote and fill the entire space with developments. Aren’t we see- attracted when he speaks online, he continues to play a The case for automating one infection control expert a “fog” of disinfectant. The ing the direct application of leading role on the left, especially in anti-racist work, as cleaning, as briefly summarised as saying, “Given the choice vapour covers every surface hi-tech scientific ideas to keep last weekend’s Voices of Refugees event organised by his by the Otter review, is about of improving human behav- and penetrates porous surfaces. everyone in hospital healthier? Peace and Justice Project demonstrates. solving the limitations in effec- iour, technology is the better The room must be left for a few The UV-cleaning machine espe- His politics of grassroots mobilisation and community tive manual hospital cleaning. choice.” hours while the fog dissipates. cially is excitingly sci-fi. engagement is where real anti-racist work is done and has The scientists’ assessment Papers like this are taken so The UV machines also work in In practice, the machines greater potential for combatting Islamophobia and anti- is worth quoting in full to seriously that they feed into an evacuated ward, because they seem to be a bit murkier. semitism than any number of Establishment reports. understand the technical mind- Nice-accredited guidance on use a powerful UV light. The There are a number of prob- The continued denial of the whip is nothing more than set: “…achieving compliance cleaning, which encourages the light is shone brightly through- lems with the machines. They a petty act of revenge by MPs furious that their cosy West- from an (often) poorly paid, use of automated systems. This out the room. The UV light dam- are not in fact “automated minster bubble was burst for five years by a mass democratic poorly motivated workforce in turn has been used as justi- ages bacterial and viral genetic cleaning,” but are tools to be movement for real change. Solidarity with today’s cycle ride, who may have limited spoken fication by contracted cleaning material and if applied strongly used by cleaning staff. The HPV Twitter storm and Restore the Whip online rally. or written local language skills; firms to buy the machines and enough will totally destroy the machines require the wholesale inadequate training and educa- force their staff to use them. genetic function. evacuation of patients and staff morningstaronline.co.uk Morning Star morningstaronline Wednesday @m_star_online features May 26 2021 9

ESPITE promis- ing an Employ- ment Bill on several occa- sions since it from the area to be cleaned was elected in over an extended period. They D2019, the government has now also require perfectly airtight dropped the idea from its leg- rooms to prevent leakage of islative programme. The state of the art the poison, which at a time of It has recognised that a concerns over ventilation in number of things need to be hospitals is a significant con- put right for Britain’s 32 mil- sideration. lion workers and vowed in its In Morriston Hospital, Swan- election manifesto that it “will sea, HPV machines were intro- build on existing employment duced in 2014, but staff were law with measures that protect in medical cleaning not given adequate PPE or train- those in low paid work and the ing. Several were subsequently gig economy” by introducing “a exposed to poisonous vapour raft of measures.” But nothing which caused severe respira- has been done. tory illness. So I have drafted a Bill to They won the legal chal- deal with a particular prob- technology lenge they brought, and were lem, one acknowledged by the awarded compensation. The Tories. legal firm that represented At the outset, I should say the workers continues to seek that this Bill is not the most claimants among the thou- important change that Britain’s sands of NHS workers who have workers require — that is a law been similarly exposed. In Mor- setting up collective bargaining riston hospital, the machines for each sector of the economy were taken out of operation in — but the Bill does deal with a 2016, after just two years. critical issue. The efficacy of the machines The issue is that current law is also questioned by the Otter permits employers to classify review, which cites conflicting workers into legal categories, published data on whether HPV many of which do not have the machines are effective against statutory rights which Parlia- MRSA. Although it cites positive ment has stipulated employees results for the UV machines, should have. the review notes that stud- When we say “worker,” we ies often implement multiple mean anyone who works for interventions at the same time a living. Let’s list the present to improve cleaning, making legal categories of workers. those who are genuinely self- the impact of the UV machines First, there are “employ- employed. alone difficult to disentangle. ees.” They are entitled to all What is clear is that the In a properly funded hospi- the statutory rights (so long as A new Bill for number of PSCs and self- tal, where the wards were prop- they have been employed long employed are growing — and erly insulated from each other enough). growing faster than elsewhere with adequate bed capacity, Then there are the so-called in Europe. The problem is not alongside multiple other inter- “limb (b) workers.” These are unique to Britain but is worse ventions, these HPV and UV workers who have a contract all workers here than elsewhere in Europe. machines might be an excel- but not a contract of employ- The Bill goes beyond the lent aid to cleaning. In the actu- ment. recommendations of the Mat- ally existing NHS, it seems that So they only get some of the thew Taylor Report some years the machines are an expensive rights that employees have, eg ago — but most people thought snake oil bought by contractors national minimum wage and LORD JOHN HENDY QC presents a that that report didn’t go far to impress NHS management paid holidays. They don’t get pro- enough anyway. and win contracts. tection against unfair dismissal, It would go a long way to Activists at Greenwich Keep parental leave, and so on. Bill that aims to create the single legal bring Britain back to the sin- Our NHS Public supporting This is the status that the gle status of “worker” which the GMB branch of cleaners at Uber drivers achieved in their is the basis of many of the Lewisham Hospital suspect an Supreme Court victory earlier category of ‘worker’ to give all those international treaties ratified emphasis on the new machines this year. by Britain. was responsible for the award- Limb (b) workers are com- who work for a wage the same It would not be applauded by ing of the latest hospital clean- mon in food delivery, taxi and the employers’ bodies, though ing contract to the company ISS. other service industries. the CBI and others do recognise As part of the tender, the Next there are the bogus statutory rights as recognised employees the problem. firm promised to invest in self-employed workers. These In fact, it would benefit new HPV and UV cleaning are workers whose arrange- employers generally since it machines. In April 2021 they ments are dressed up by the would prevent greedy, uncar- cut 495 hours from cleaners’ employer to look as if they are their own company. musician, the novelist, and so on. ing employers undercutting contracts, sending cleaners out self-employed but who, in real- The real employer is insu- The problem is a growing good employers who are pre- to protest. ity, are employees. lated against any responsibility one. Many employers are using pared to afford their staff full This mentality of replacing They are not entitled even to whatever for their rights. PSCs the excuse of the pandemic to employment rights. It would cleaning staff with machines the national minimum wage, are common in parcel delivery worsen the terms and conditions also stop the worst employers even runs contrary to a major paid holidays — not even some and construction (and many of their workers — as we see in free riding on the state by using supplier of the machines. Inivos health and safety protections. other sectors). the spate of recent instances Many“ employers categories for their staff that stress on their website that, “Nei- We are all familiar with Under the Bill all these cat- of “fire and rehire.” One of the avoid the employers having to ther UV-C or HPV decontamina- bogus self-employment in the egories would merge together techniques they are using is to pay national insurance, tax and tion systems are intended to construction industry. and all would be classified as downgrade their workers from are using the pension contributions. replace manual cleaning, but Finally, there are the workers “workers” with all the statutory one category to another to cut The Bill is obviously intended rather should be used as a com- with “personal service compa- employment rights. the burden of the rights that go excuse of the to benefit the workers. Employ- plementary method to create a nies,” (PSCs). These are workers There is another category of with the higher category. ers often try to persuade irregu- safer environment.” who, usually at the request of worker which will not be cov- At present it is estimated pandemic to lar workers of the benefits of a The solely “technical solu- the real employer, have had to ered by the Bill. These are the that there are about 28 mil- lesser status on the basis that it tion” is a fantasy. There is only set up a PSC in which they are genuinely self-employed in busi- lion employees, a figure which guarantees flexibility. But the one way to improve hospital the sole employee (sometimes ness on their own account with includes up to 700,000 personal worsen the truth is legal status has nothing hygiene. By increasing their with another worker), a com- their own clients and customers. service companies with one whatever to do with whatever skills, pay and conditions and pany in which they (or a mem- Examples are the owner/ employee. It is estimated that terms and flexibility employers confer on also their access to and under- ber of the family) are the major driver taxicab driver (“mushers” there are just under 5 million their workers — that flexibility standing of hi-tech tools, clean- shareholder and director. as they are known in London), self-employed but it is not pos- conditions of can just as easily be enjoyed by ers will be able to improve The trick here is that on the the barrister, the self-employed sible to separate out those who employees, if the employer was decontamination of hospitals face of it they have full employ- painter and decorator, the job- are limb (b) workers, those who prepared to concede it. themselves. ment rights — but only against bing electrician, the gigging are bogus self-employed and their workers Support the Bill! Morning Star morningstaronline.co.uk Wednesday morningstaronline 10 May 26 2021 info | entertainment @m_star_online

days left WEATHER OUTLOOK Fighting Fund with Bella Katz 5 TODAY NEXT FEW DAYS Rain in the north-east Many places dry with YOU’VE RAISED: WE NEED: breaking up into show- sunny spells. Some rain ers, some heavy but less likely to affect the west so than Monday and later on Thursday and Tuesday. Staying dry for perhaps during Friday. the west and south and Warmer than recently £10,674 £7,326 turning a little warmer and feeling pleasant in here. sunshine. IT’S day two of my takeover weather, I think we’re all in need A tenner arrived from Gates- ers back then so give us a call or and I’m really impressed with of a bit of cheering up, so here’s head, and two donations of £10 go online to help us get closer your responses so far! Almost an incentive for you to donate: and £8 came from Leeds – a big to the £18,000 mark. 30 of our supporters from Send in your best jokes with your thanks to all, your donations What a treat it would be for CONTACT US across the country have sent donations over the next two days make such a difference! Keith to return next week to see in their donations and well and I’ll feature my favourites in A special thanks goes out to that we’ve smashed May’s target! wishes, making up a daily this weekend’s edition. two very generous comrades as ■ The headline amount GENERAL ENQUIRIES CIRCULATION total of £584. This takes our A reader from Littleborough £210 arrived from Somerset and of £10,039 given yesterday William Rust House Bernadette Keaveney overall total to a significantly sent £50 and thanked us for £100 from Flintshire. was incorrect. The running 52 Beachy Road, [email protected] improved £10,674. “saying it like it is.” Fivers came Remember: Rome wasn’t monthly total was £10,090, as London E3 2NS 0778 0220-391 Due to a combination of from Rochester, Birmingham built in a day, but they didn’t mentioned in the column. We [email protected] Covid-19 uncertainty and bad and Colchester, have mobile phones or comput- apologise for the error (020) 8510-0815 CAMPAIGNS (Mon-Fri 10am-5pm) Calvin Tucker [email protected] ADVERTISING Give by BACS... online... by phone...... or by post Moshfiqur Noor Tell us what you’d like to see [email protected] more of in your paper! Email Sort code 08-90-33, account 50505115, morningstaronline.co.uk/ 9am - 4pm, Cheques to PPFF, 52 Beachy [email protected] name PPFF page/support-us 0778 0220 391 Rd, Bow, London E3 2NS

DAILY SUDOKU (hard) TV & radio preview with Ann Douglas

LONG STRUGGLE: Antoinette Gautreaux, whose grandmother, Dorothy Gautreaux, fought a legal Alamet’s battle for housing equality for are African Americans in Chicago in Crosswords the 1960s. Antoinette suffered fiendish fun on horrendous conditions in housing Saturday projects in the 1980s and 1990s

Yesterday’s sudoku

Solution tomorrow… Documentary charts the long struggle to overturn systemic racism in the US QUIZMASTER with William Sitwell FIFTY SEVEN years after the affected by specific bombs Crucial viewing for any TODAY’S QUESTIONS passing of the 1964 Civil Rights dropped by the Luftwaffe. aspiring food distribution com- Act, the Black American Fight for This week we are shown missars out there. Freedom (9pm BBC2) examines the lives of a tight-knit com- Canals: The Making of a Nation 1 Who wrote a poem about a many of the landmark court munity of shipbuilders and (7pm BBC 4) sees Liz McIvor stately Spanish galleon? victories won by anti-racist factory workers in Clydebank, travel along the Manchester campaigners and assesses West Dunbartonshire and how ship canal, one of the great- 2 Which water bird is also their impact when compared their world was affected by the est engineering feats of the known as the dabchick? with the reality of the shocking bombings of March 1941. Victorian age. inequalities faced by black peo- One particular bomb landed This episode may provide 3 Which London underground ple in housing, education and on 78 Jellicoe Street, killing 15 some unexpected joy in that it line is coloured grey on the criminal justice. members of the Rocks family. does address the issue of class, tube map? Interviews with those who Surviving relatives recount something often left out of, were at the forefront of the how the event affected their well, all mainstream culture. struggle against systemic rac- lives and how the Nazi bomb- Liz discusses the lives of the DUNKERS: Bowl of digestives ism reveal how hard activists ing campaign caused an exodus workers who built the canal Pic: LearningLark/CC had to push to get even a modi- from the town. and looks at the rising tide of cum of improvement. Some readers will be ardent trade unionism. YESTERDAY’S ANSWERS It might also be interesting to supporters of the campaign to Quite good to see workers note that the Civil Rights Act was nationalise beloved bakery and unions getting a mention, 1. Eric Drummond, Joseph Avenol and Sean 2. Which chocolate biscuit was created by only passed after a 54-day filibus- chain Greggs. Well, you will be although it remains to be seen Lester were the three secretaries-general of McVitie’s nearly 100 years ago? The ter. Racists do not give in easily. glad to hear that Inside Greggs: what tone will be taken and which former international organisation chocolate digestive (in 1925) Each episode of Blitz: the Bombs Britain’s Best Bakery (8pm Chan- if facts are cherry-picked to that existed between the two world wars? 3. The first Earl Jowitt wrote a dictionary of that Changed Britain (9pm BBC4) nel 5) goes behind the scenes to paint a negative picture of the The League of Nations what? Law (in England) chronicles the lives of people show us how the store operates. labour movement. morningstaronline.co.uk Morning Star morningstaronline Wednesday @m_star_online features May 26 2021 11 Myanmar: a battleground of the new cold war against China China’s complex relationship with Myanmar has confused many on the left, who too often base their analyses through the prism of Western media coverage. KENNY COYLE talks to a Communist Party of Burma spokesperson about its view

URING World Myanmar media two weeks War II, the Brit- after the military seizure of ish colony of power, China’s ambassador Burma, sitting to Myanmar Chen Hai said: between British- “Both the National League for ruled India and Democracy and the Tatmadaw Dwar-torn China, became a key [military] maintain friendly military theatre, pitting Allied relations with China. The cur- forces against Japan. rent development in Myanmar Today Myanmar is embroiled is absolutely not what China in conflict once again. While wants to see.” this time the principal factors Chinese Foreign Minister are internal, there are wider Wang Yi has called China’s geopolitical dimensions. In par- policy in the current crisis the ticular, Myanmar has become a “Three Supports and Three battleground within the wider Avoids.” New Cold War against China. Support is for an internal A Communist Party of Burma political settlement, the release (CPB) spokesman told the Morn- of all political prisoners includ- ing Star: “We used to say that ing Aung San Suu Kyi, a return Burma’s importance to the to the constitutional compro- world’s great powers lies in the mise that existed pre-coup and geographical position it occu- RESTORING DEMOCRACY: An anti-coup protest in Yangon last Monday and (right) a map of Myanmar to “advance the hard-won demo- pies. cratic transformation process.” “Being situated between India sailing to and fro in the South of these BRI projects as possible. obvious. CMEC would substan- The other side is avoidance of and China, Burma became an China Sea, it benefits Western Over the past decade, China tially cut transfer times for “further bloodshed and civilian important springboard for the powers if they can distract has worked with Myanmar on China’s import/export trade casualties,” avoidance of the UN Allied forces during World War China on its western borders. several BRI projects, some of in its developing western prov- security council being used to II both on land and sea.” Furthermore, Burma borders which are in operation with inces, which lie furthest from intervene in Myanmar (a bitter Modern Myanmar borders the Chinese region of Tibet, others still undergoing feasi- China’s southern and eastern lesson China learnt from the India, Bangladesh, China, Laos, another super-sensitive area in bility studies. coastal ports, and would end Libyan crisis in 2011) and to Thailand and Malaysia. The China.” The biggest potential project China’s vulnerability to a poten- “avoid external forces from fuel- Myanmar-India-China tripoint, More recently, Myanmar has is the China-Myanmar-Bangla- tial Malacca Strait “chokehold.” ling the unrest in Myanmar and the intersection of the three become a focus of interest as desh-India (CMBI) corridor that The potential advantages for seeking private gains by mess- states’ borders, lies next to the part of China’s Belt and Road would connect Kunming in Myanmar could also be vast ing up the country.” so-called McMahon Line, the Initiative (BRI), which aims to China’s Yunnan province with if the commanding heights of Chinese statements have location of a long-running dispute build infrastructure networks Kolkata in India’s West Bengal the country’s economy can be pointedly made clear that it is in between China and India, which in a whole series of countries by crossing into Mandalay in wrested from the military-run continual contact with the NLD recently led to bloody, but thank- over the coming decades. northern Myanmar and going monopolies and made to ben- usual suspect, the US State and other anti-military forces. fully short-lived, border clashes If even partially successful, through Dhaka in Bangladesh. efit working people. The country Department-funded National Nonetheless some pro-West- between the two Asian giants. this will transform interna- It would provide obvious ben- could become a major trading Endowment for Democracy, has ern elements in the anti-coup Myanmar’s maritime borders tional trade routes and effec- efits for tourism and trade to a centre linking the Indian sub- for years openly channelled sub- protests called for US interven- in the north are adjacent to tively disrupt US economic region of around 300 million continent with south-east Asia stantial funds into Myanmar’s tion and demonstrated outside Bangladesh in the oil and gas- hegemony by shifting the cen- people long starved of modern and western China. trade unions, satellite broad- the Chinese embassy. In addi- rich Bay of Bengal and stretch tre of the world economy to road and rail connections. casters, social and print media tion, unknown groups attacked southward to a point just north the Asia-Pacific and Eurasian For example, Indian-Bang- hina’s complex and the like, to influence both Chinese-owned businesses, of the Strait of Malacca. regions. The United States is ladeshi freight train services relationship with internal politics and also to hotels and recently oil pipelines The strait, which flows determined to block as many only resumed last year, after Myanmar has shape external media presen- to China. between Indonesia, Malaysia, and a gap of 55 years. There is still confused many tations of Myanmar. (See for This is seen by the CPB as a Singapore, connects the Indian no passenger train service con- on the left, who example www.ned.org/region/ futile and potentially dangerous Ocean with the Pacific Ocean necting what was once a single too often base asia/burma-2020/) diversion which misdirects and through the South China Sea. undivided Bengal. However, theirC binary analyses through However, the CPB rejects divides the anti-junta move- It is the shortest sea route given the strongly anti-China the prism of Western media both of these simplistic inter- ment. between Persian Gulf oil and stance of the Hindu-chauvinist coverage, which portrays China pretations of China-Myanmar The CPB representative gas suppliers and key Asian BJP government in India, the either as an active backer of the relations. emphasises: “The Burmese mili- markets. CMBI project may be indefi- military or at least indifferent “Presenting China as a sup- tary generals will make use of Around 20 per cent of global “ nitely delayed. to its seizure of power. porter of the Burmese military any available means to divert petroleum shipped by sea goes China’s Belt The other key project is the For those already predisposed is to fall into the trap of the mili- the attention of the opposition via the Strait of Malacca, includ- China-Myanmar Economic Cor- to view China as no different tary junta as well as the White elements inside our country or ing 80 per cent of China’s sea- ridor (CMEC) which is designed from or even worse than West- House,” the party spokesman to create disunity among them. borne oil. and Road to develop networks linking the ern capitalism, the idea that says. “We shouldn’t forget that The West is always seeking an According to the CPB spokes- Kyaukphyu port and economic Beijing must be backing the the military generals in Burma, opportunity to make use of man: “Southern Myanmar Initiative (BRI) zone on Myanmar’s coast with military was simply taken for ever since they became a clique the Burmese anti-military ele- covers a strategic position for China’s western regions. granted. in the 1950s, are very chauvinis- ments to wage anti-Chinese monitoring shipping heading will effectively During his visit to Myanmar However, others took a dia- tic and have prejudices against protests and sow anti-Chinese to the Malacca Strait. That’s in early 2020, Xi Jinping met metrically opposite view, see- any race or religion besides seeds among the Burmese pop- one reason, we believe, West- with Aung San Suu Kyi to accel- ing yet another “colour revo- theirs. China needs Burma to ulation. They have made some ern powers are very concerned disrupt US erate many of these projects. lution,” a US-backed attempt be a strong buffer for it against achievements before, but this about Burma. (See Reuters “Myanmar, China at regime change, by pointing Western forces and the West time the people’s hatred against “At this time, when tension economic ink deals to accelerate Belt and to the activities of the foreign- needs Burma as a bridgehead the junta is so strong nothing between the US and China has Road as Xi courts an isolated Suu funded “democracy promotion” to enter China.” will divert their attention from reached a peak, when naval hegemony Kyi,” January 18 2020). agencies. China was blindsided by the their main enemy - the military forces with various flags are The advantages to China are It’s certainly true that the coup. In an interview given to bureaucrats.” Morning Star morningstaronline.co.uk Wednesday morningstaronline 12 May 26 2021 culture @m_star_online

MUSIC I SARATHY KORWAR HHHHI I KING’S PLACE LONDON

Exhilarating eclecticism from Korwar and co

SARATHY KORWAR is relieved to be exhilarating cacophony of noise that back in front of an audience. “It’s more would probably be too messy for most fun than those livestreams,” he admits. of his recorded material. “They’re terrible.” Outside the studio, it’s also easier to More fun for the audience, too. appreciate what a brilliant drummer Although it’s tempting to view Kor- Korwar is. Relaxed, stunningly fluid and war as a band leader best suited to the natural, he’s fully in control of his craft. recording studio, to see him on stage is He and the amazingly talented key- to appreciate a different side to his com- boardist Al MacSween are the axis of plex, eclectic art which draws mainly the four-piece, while the two saxophon- on jazz and Indian classical music but ists, Chris Williams on alto and Tamar also incorporates elements of hip-hop, Osborne on baritone, parry back and electronic music and more. forth across them. The subtleties of Korwar’s politics Ahmed, hands behind his back or come across that much clearer in a clasped in front, walks on and off as live setting and not just because on required — a moody, challenging pres- this occasion he has a “Free Palestine” ence, not exactly uncomfortable in the message projected onto a speaker at the spotlight but charismatically uneasy front. With the angry tones of vocal- there nonetheless. ist Zia Ahmed in support, it’s possible His rendering of the excellent, sly to get a fuller insight into Korwar’s lyrics of Bol, which he and Korwar co- thoughts on belonging and disaffection, wrote with Aditya Prakash, is a high- on resisting the temptation to fit people light of the night. into boxes and being able to assert that They’re a great team — emphasised “home is where the heart is.” by the collective wearing of specially It’s enlightening to watch Korwar made football shirts — and one that’s and his band really let loose when the certainly worth seeing in the flesh.

Pic: Monika S Jakubowska/Kings Place chance presents itself, generating an PETER MASON

OPINION Why is bronze worth more than blood? Poet JULIE EASLEY questions why you can get 10 years in prison for damaging a statue but not a human being

HAVE a thing about stat- tinged with white. thrown into the river. Bristol ues. And white men. I Fast forward to 2020 and the listened. Schools and other blame Captain Cook, world watches as a black man institutions removed his famous son of Teesside, dies under the knee of a white name. the local legend I grew man. George Floyd’s death Then the discomfort kicked upI with. triggered a series of protests in. The white discomfort. My rite of passage is for- around the world. Black Lives “Counter-protesters” protected ever linked to him — drink- Matter took the streets in the the statues, police protected ing cheap cider in my local middle of a global pandemic the statues, the government churchyard where his dad and it seemed to signal a col- protected the statues. Flags resides. I was enveloped in lective understanding that appeared in press conferences; his heroism, even choosing something had to change, that the narrative started to spiral to visit Cooktown in Australia black lives did matter. around protecting Britishness. because of our shared past. Statues of slave owners, of The question of representation He was also my awakening. white heroes, were targeted, was lost. Cooktown was the place in defaced and destroyed. The Now, with the nation weary Australia where his ship the statue of slave trader Colston, and weakened from a year- Endeavour was wrecked and in Bristol, was toppled and long stop-and-start lockdown, repaired, where he sailed from nationalism has hit its peak to claim Possession Island and and when nationalism is used plant the flag for the crown. as a tool to silence it descends It’s also where I met my into something sinister like white privilege, where I stood censorship or punishment. beneath Cook resplendent in The government has threat- bronze and realised Neigh- To the indigenous ened to introduce a 10-year bours, another childhood sta- “ prison sentence for damage ple, was not a true representa- Australians he [Cook] to a statue. Not a person. A tion of the Australia I was in. statue. What is it about statues That’s the thing about stat- represents their and white men when bronze is ues and white men. Represen- worth more than blood? tation. To the white settlers destruction, their How can Britain call herself of Australia, Cook represents great when the possessor con- the birth of their nation. To tinues to oppress and the sym- the indigenous Australians he torture, their rapes, bolism of our statues scream represents their destruction, of white male supremacy? their torture, their rapes, their murders, the Government gaslighting their murders, the continu- cannot change that fact or ous erasure of their culture, continuous erasure that representation matters. traditions, language and right That’s why I have a thing to exist. of their culture, about statues and white men. I learnt through my child- hood hero that everything traditions, language TIME TO GO: (Right) Cook’s I thought I knew about the statue in Cooktown, Queensland world was a lie and every- and right to exist Australia thing about my education was Pic: Lobster1/Creative Commons morningstaronline.co.uk Morning Star morningstaronline Wednesday @m_star_online culture May 26 2021 13

PICTURE THIS I ROYAL INSTITUTE OF PAINTERS IN WATER COLOURS 209TH EXHIBITION

WATERCOLOURS, forever the poor (top right) — reminiscent of Abraham relatives of oil painting, have been Hondius’s Frost Fairs — which cel- unjustly associated with “Sunday ebrates a triumph over developers to amateurs,” a stigma that the Royal keep a popular stretch of the Thames Institute of Painters in Water Colours near the OXO Tower public. has fought against tooth and nail. To Sarah Granville’s Plot 66 “Yellow its credit, it’s done so with consider- Shed,” (right) painted with gusto able success. and bravura, is a loving depiction of The institutes’s annual exhibi- a cheerful allotment building and tion and awards for painters work- Adam De Ville offers a humorously ing in the medium has been the edifying take on the ageing process silver lining for artists tested by with the brilliantly rendered Eighty the pandemic and perhaps trying Two Rounds, One Knock Out (above). times have somewhat clipped the It’s an exhibition worth visiting wings of the intrepid experimenta- for these exhibits alone. tion evidenced in shows over the last few years. ■ Runs until May 29, box office: mall- Yet the unexpected and intriguing galleries.arttickets.org.uk. is there in Brian Smith’s Ernie’s Beach MICHAL BONCZA

THEATRE I THE LANGUAGE OF KINDNESS HHHHI I WARWICK ARTS CENTRE/TOURING Pic: Ali Wright

GORDON PARSONS recommends an excellent and message is the devotion and the cost to professionals theatrical tribute to nursing staff from whom we demand so much and value only when, as individuals, families or as THERE’S an undeniable recounts the exhausting fully establishes its milieu a nation, we need them. chemistry in the live theatre and exhaustive life of a hos- through dance and mime The short tour of Wayward experience, even in a space pital nurse from rookie days, — oddly, no choreographer Productions’ superb ensem- necessarily less than half full learning and surviving the is credited — before drama- ble cast needs to be seen, and the audience socially realities of the ward world, to tising the hectic pace of the above all by our legislators distanced, which no online senior nurse. With responsi- staff’s treadmill routine. who are happy to clap our performance can hope to bilities for lives and deaths as It’s one punctuated by nurses but not pay our debt capture. demanding practically and, critical moments for frag- in the only language that And it would be difficult more so, emotionally than ile patients and the trau- speaks to them. But then I to imagine a more cur- that of the doctors, she bril- matic experience of a child remember our leader has rently appropriate play to liantly overcomes obvious coping with and facing her moments seized in the mid- of an infant’s necrotic leg, seen them at close quarters mark a return to the stage hurdles. operation for a brain tumour dle of a quiet night to share awareness of a kindness that — has he no sense of indebt- than Sasha Milavic Davies Translating moving autobi- doesn’t need words to com- a hasty “banquet” from a can only be called love as an edness? and James Yeatman’s adap- ographical prose into engag- municate. trolley. experienced nurse watches tation of Christie Watson’s ing visual theatre is no mean Neither does the quiet As the 80-minute produc- a colleague nurse her dying ■ Tours Assembly Hall Theatre, acclaimed account of her feat, especially as the action rhythm of the neonatal ward tion develops, the individual father. Tunbridge Wells, May 26-29 long nursing career. is set in an environment sur- with the constant nursing stories emerge — the struggle What finally registers and Shoreditch Town Hall, The Language of Kindness gically romanticised by TV commitment to the care of to revive a cardiac arrest, the from a production faithful London, 3-12 June, details: for Wayward Productions soaps. The production skil- precious charges, nor the emergency ward amputation to Christie Watson’s story waywardproductions.co.uk Morning Star morningstaronline.co.uk Wednesday morningstaronline 14 May 26 2021 letters @m_star_online

n IRISH REVOLUTIONARY Mac Diarmada

school returns n KILL THE BILL THE annual Sean Mac Diar- by his father, a Fenian. “It In Dublin he became man- Glad struggle is mada Summer School returns was great to see how hope- ager of the radical paper Irish for its 13th year on June 4-5. ful he was of the national Freedom. He became, as the Due to the ongoing pan- cause up to his death,” Mac Irish Post recently suggested, still on the streets demic restrictions the event Diarmada reflected. “the main intelligence broker AS A free-born man, on May will run virtually for the sec- By the time he moved to Dub- behind the 1916 rising.” 1 I joined the small peaceful ond year running. The focus lin in 1908, he was Mac Diarmada had been crip- group of responsible citizens will be Reflections on the War already involved pled by polio and from 1912 who demonstrated in South- of Independence 1919-1921. with the Gaelic he’d been forced to walk with end High Street against the Mac Diarmada (pictured) League, the a cane. That did not stop him proposed policing Bill that will n TORY CUTS was born on January 27 1883, Irish Repub- from taking an active part in will take away my freedom to just outside the village of lican Broth- the events of the Easter Week. demonstrate. Kiltyclogher, Co. Leitrim. erhood, the A signatory of the proclama- After months of confine- His ancestral home there Ancient Order tion, Mac Diarmada was in the ment it was good to be out in Suspect timing on remains in perfect condition of Hibernians GPO and it was he who later read the crowd of shoppers, feel the and is open to visitors. and Sinn Fein. out Pearse’s letter of surrender. sun on my face, breathe the air Bashir BBC story When he was growing At the time one British shout my truths at the top of up, the area was littered army officer sneered: “Do the my voice. TWO really important interview with Diana, and with deserted cot- Sinn Feiners take cripples in It was good to meet up with events took place last the BBC was equally or more tages left from their army?” old friends and to stand in soli- Thursday: the Tory govern- wrong to cover it up. But I the mass hun- He was later executed by fir- darity with comrades who see ment partially reversed the can’t help wondering if that ger and emi- ing squad in Kilmainham Gaol things the same way as I do. disastrous privatisation story would have come out grations of the on May 12 1916 and is buried in As a low-level political activ- of the railways and the at this time without a little late 1840s. Arbour Hill Cemetery, Dublin. ist for many years I’ve taken an equally disastrous private help from the government, This had an For information on the interest in the world and the “NHS” Track and Trace eager to divert attention effect on Mac summer school, visit: www. country that I live in. I recall system. from its failures? Diarmada. seanmacdiarmada.ie. when Thatcherism set about The operation failed to Equally, is the BBC com- He was also ALAN STEWART smashing union power and how inform local authorities of plicit in another cover-up? influenced Wakefield ready, willing and vicious the the upsurge in infections, Have they been instructed law was to destroy the unions’ leading to the spread of the to kill the Tory failure democratic rights, which they Indian variant of Covid-19 stories? did, resulting in the low-wage and to the recent reversal of They have a powerful n CHINA injustice that we have today. the trend to fewer coronavi- Tory sword dangling over If these new proposals rus infections. their heads. Is it a case of: become law, children grow- Two government priva- comply with government Ship’s purpose to stoke a new cold war ing up today will be living in tisation policies have been demands or we’ll see that SO THE HMS Queen Elizabeth own down the English Chan- social conditions suitable to the seen to fail. Surely that you lose the licence fee is set to join a US naval flotilla nel or off the coast of Califor- development of a police state was the top of the agenda and have to depend on our off of the coast of the People’s nia? There would be outrage and may one day even have for any news outlet? No, good friends in business for Republic of China. This is the from both Washington and to demonstrate on our streets we had the royals and the adverts to keep going? latest episode and example of London. to hold onto the right to vote, BBC in every headline and That would be an end to US-UK sabre rattling towards Perhaps Beijing should do as facing a far more dangerous dominating the BBC news any independence the BBC Beijing as part of the emerging such in response — it works hostile authoritarian Establish- bulletins. proudly claims and must be new cold war. both ways. ment than we have today. Martin Bashir (pictured) made to merit. Could you imagine if the PHIL BRAND SOUND AND FURY: F35s onboard BOB CHAPMAN was certainly wrong to PAT SANCHEZ PRC sent a naval flotilla of its London SW17 the HMS Queen Elizabeth Canvey Island fake documents to get an Littleborough

n FOREIGN POLICY n BBC Some just want to see the back of licence fee US ‘interventions’ make the world unsafe THE BBC has rightly been Yet it’s far better than the IT’S not as if Western lead- criticised for its controver- alternative, as Tony Benn ers care nothing for the lives sial interview with Prin- realised when he proposed lost due to continued US cess Diana in the 1990s. the BBC taking over the “interventions” and interfer- But let’s remember that Times and Sunday Times ences, all backed for that lie some of the media com- during their strike last of humanitarianism. It’s that ment comes from those century. those declared war upon are who’d like to abolish the And who wants adverts merely “collateral damage,” BBC, or at least emascu- every few minutes? I remem- non-persons of no interest to late it by getting rid of the ber switching on ITV to them whatsoever. licence fee. watch its live coverage of Of course, the US govern- “ Of course the corpora- the Tour de France when it ment and Pentagon will always The US always tion isn’t perfect. It has had a stage in the UK. I was deny that their wars are ille- acted too much as a mouth- particularly interested to gal and that they’re not about needs an piece for the Prime Minis- see the cyclists pass through the riches beneath and above ter during the coronavirus Hebden Bridge, a town where ground. And there’s always expect something in return. For some surreal reason, Rus- pandemic, and adopts the I used to live. But that was Britain and the EU to obey As long as the Western world, sia’s to blame for everything enemy and UK same elitist position as when they went away to the in servitude because of those and of course other sycophan- — especially disinformation. some newspapers when it commercial break! “special relationships.” tic nations, are fooled that the Strange, I thought it was US governments comes to their beloved EU TIM MICKLEBURGH Sanctions have caused US is benevolent, caring, doing news channels and Western and Brexit. Grimsby deaths too — not so in China good things to rid the bad, the ones in chained and shackled are ever willing or Russia, for these nations world shall never be safe. agreement. can carry on regardless. But The US always needs an Alexei Navalny has become HAVE YOUR SAY take Venezuela as one being enemy and UK governments a use for their venom towards to act as second Write (up to 300 words) to hit by sanctions whereby even are ever wiling to act as second Russia, but has Russia made use 52 Beachy Rd, London E3 2NS giving aid to those infected partners in war crimes — eager of Assange? partners in or email [email protected] by Covid-19 is denied and, if to rid nations of legally elected STEPHEN FRANCIS offered, would merely be to presidents and so on. Sutton war crimes morningstaronline.co.uk Morning Star morningstaronline Wednesday @m_star_online sport May 26 2021 15 n ATHLETICS n MEN’S FOOTBALL Japan: US travel warning ‘Surprise call-ups won’t stop athletes coming are an inspiration’ SCOT GEMMILL believes by Our Sports Desk Scotland’s Euro 2020 new boys will inspire players and coaches all the way THE Japanese government down the game’s develop- believe that the US warning for ment ladder. Americans to avoid travelling Chelsea midfielder Billy to Japan will have no impact on Gilmour, Rangers right- Olympians wanting to compete back Nathan Patterson in the postponed Tokyo Games. and Celtic playmaker US officials cited a surge David Turnbull were in coronavirus cases in Japan included in Steve Clarke’s caused by virus variants that 26-man squad for the may even be risks to vacci- first time for the delayed nated people. They didn’t ban European Championship citizens from visiting Japan, which starts next month. but the warnings could affect All three have come insurance rates and whether through the age groups Olympic athletes and other with Scotland, with Gil- participants decide to join the mour and Patterson, both games that begin on July 23. 19, also part of the Scot- “The coaches at that Most urban areas in Japan tish Football Association’s level don’t get the credit are under a state of emer- performance schools they deserve but they are gency and expected to remain programme. the ones that have really so through mid-June because Scotland Under-21 head helped these players get of rising serious Covid-19 cases coach Gemmill, who has in this position, working that are putting pressure on the named a new-look squad with them day in, day out. country’s medical care systems. for a friendly double “It is a very nice That raises concern about how header against Northern moment for the staff to the country could cope with Ireland next month, was point to that process and the arrival of tens of thousands asked if they could be an that pathway. of Olympic participants if its inspiration. “Brian [McLaughlin] hospitals remain stressed and supporting the Japanese gov- were banned from the Tokyo The US warning from the “Yes, no doubt,” he said, runs the performance little of its population is vac- ernment’s determination to Olympics months ago but ath- Atlanta-based Centres for Dis- “not just to the Under- schools and I know he is cinated. achieve the games,” Kato said, letes, families, sporting offi- ease Control and Prevention 21 group, to all the age incredibly proud of his Japan’s Chief Cabinet Sec- adding that Washington has cials from around the world said: “Because of the current groups all the way down, staff and the role that retary Katsunobu Kato told told Tokyo the travel warning and other stakeholders still situation in Japan even fully the performance schools they have played and a news conference yesterday is not related to participation amount to a mass influx of vaccinated travellers may be at as well. rightly so. that the US warning does not of the US Olympic team. international travellers. risk for getting and spreading “The fact that they “It is really exciting and prohibit essential travel and The United States Olympic & The Japanese public in opin- Covid-19 variants and should have been referenced in it shows all the players Japan believes the US support Paralympic Committee said it ion surveys have expressed avoid all travel to Japan.” the development of these involved that it can hap- for Tokyo’s effort to hold the still anticipates that US athletes opposition to holding the The State Department’s players — there is so pen and how close they Olympics is unchanged. will be able to safely compete games out of safety concerns warning was more blunt. “Do much good work going are. So it is really excit- “We believe there is no at the Tokyo Games. while most people will not be not travel to Japan due to Covid- on. ing.” change to the US position Fans coming from abroad vaccinated. 19,” it said.

n MEN’S RUGBY LEAGUE Williams leaving NRL early due to homesickness by Our Sports Desk was the best for both parties, liams and, as part of the release saying Williams’s decision to agreement, obtained first withdraw from training yester- refusal on his services should ENGLAND half-back George day meant his position at the he return to Super League. Williams is cutting his stay in club became untenable. Coach Adrian Lam expressed the NRL as he seeks an immedi- “George and his partner have an interest in talking to Wil- ate return to the Super League asked on a number of occasions liams about a return to his for mental health reasons. for a release to return to Eng- hometown club when news of The 26-year-old former land to be closer to their fami- his homesickness emerged but Wigan favourite is less than lies and we’ve decided to grant the Warriors could face compe- halfway through his three- their request,” Furner said. tition from Warrington. year contract with the Can- “George withdrew from Williams made 178 appear- berra Raiders but told them training today and from the ances for Wigan from 2013-19 of his homesickness several game this weekend which high- and was in the team that won weeks ago. lighted to the club the serious- the Grand Final in 2016 and The Raiders say they received ness of George’s request. 2018. a formal request from Wil- “Over the past several weeks Williams’s former Canberra liams, whose girlfriend Char- we have supported George and teammate John Bateman cut lotte is expecting their first provided him with the best wel- his stay with the Raiders short child, to be allowed to leave fare support we could. to return to Wigan ahead of the the club at the end of the 2021 “However as a club we felt current season while Sam Tom- season but have decided to that his position at the club kins, Lee Mossop, Joe Burgess release the player with imme- moving forward became unten- and Dan Sarginson are among diate effect. able.” other former Warriors players Canberra chief executive Wigan received an undis- to return early from stints in Don Furner said the outcome closed transfer fee for Wil- the NRL. Wednesday SPORT May 26 2021 n GEORGE FLOYD’S MURDER ONE YEAR ON n MEN’S FOOTBALL Taylor says Wales under BHA BELIEVE IN ACTIONS no pressure at the Euros NEIL TAYLOR says “unbelievable” Wales can OVER STATEMENTS galvanise the nation at Euro 2020 just like the team he played in five It would have been ‘hypocritical’ of us to speak in years ago. Taylor was part of the Wales side who reached the aftermath of Floyd’s murder, says chair Phelps the semi-finals of Euro 2016 and returned from by Our Sports Desk racing industry leaders when levels, which are much more France as heroes with the Black Lives Matter move- meaningful to those people, thousands of fans lining ment came to prominence a I hope, working in our indus- the streets of Cardiff to BRITISH Horseracing Author- year ago. try than a grandiose statement greet them. ity (BHA) chair Annamarie Phelps explained it was a which we [would have] had It was the first time Phelps believes her sport has considered decision not to do nothing behind at the time.” the nation had qualified been right to avoid “hypocriti- so, because the sport did not Helliwell was, however, for a major tournament cal” statements, and is instead believe it was in position to among those disappointed that since the 1958 World taking effective steps to bring make a “grandiose statement” racing did not instigate a public Cup, but Wales are back much-needed improvement in in good faith. gesture of solidarity with BLM. at the European Cham- the body’s diversity and inclu- “It wasn’t that we didn’t He said: “As a black person, pionship finals again sion policy. think about it,” she said. if I see a man with a knee on next month and line up Speaking to Sky Sports Rac- “Racing did discuss what we his neck who cannot breathe, in a group also featuring ing on the anniversary of the should do in the immediate being filmed and killed in front Italy, Switzerland and murder of George Floyd which awful moment a year ago, of people — again by a police Turkey. sparked international protests, and it would have been really officer, in broad daylight, and “Expectation brings Phelps said that she is placing hypocritical of us I think — racing can just ignore that and its pressures, but I don’t her faith in a joint industry at that time — to have said continue on like nothing has think there’s that much commitment to formalise anything enormously public happened rather than just put expectation on this change. and meaningful about stand- in a single bit of acknowledge- team,” said Aston Villa In Sky’s documentary The ing alongside our black com- ment … then what on Earth full-back Taylor. Uncomfortable Race, broad- munities when actually we are you going to do when some- “I don’t think there cast yesterday morning, con- don’t have very much ethnic thing else happens? should be. From a fan’s cerns were voiced by a selec- diversity in the sport, and we “What are you going to do situation it’s obviously tion of young people from had done probably at that time for the smaller elements, the going to be very difficult ethnic minority backgrounds very little to try to be more ‘micro-aggressions?’ given the year we’ve all with aspirations to make their inclusive.” “If you see that, and that’s just had. careers in racing. She says that, instead, telling your first insight into racing, “But there can be noth- Callum Helliwell, a former changes have been afoot since. you’d be shocked. You’d [think] ing better than a suc- employee of Great British Rac- “I think what the last year not only does the sport not cessful Welsh team this ing and Goffs UK, was dismayed has taught us is that there are want me here, it doesn’t want summer. So the message when there was no direct pub- things we can do. me full stop. to them would be you lic response, as in many other “There’s a whole raft of “That, to me, is disgusting. can galvanise a nation sports, from the BHA or other things, at all sorts of different That is taking us so far back.” again.”

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■ CYCLING: Giro d’Italia – Eurosport Sports using anniversary to 1 10.40am, S4C 2pm. ■ FOOTBALL: Europa League final, Villarreal v Manchester United – BT highlight campaigns Sport 1 6.30pm. ■ TENNIS: French Open qualifying by Our Sports Desk to maximise the impact of this statement: “The athletics fam- – Eurosport 2 9.30am and 3.30pm. campaign. ily spoke loudly last year and “It is not only players but all UKA listened. UEFA launched a new cam- of us that should be role models “Action was taken and we have paign on the first anniversary in the fight against discrimi- continued with this commitment TODAY’S TIPS of George Floyd’s death, encour- nation. Famous or not, we all most recently by further increas- aging everyone involved in foot- have the responsibility to act ing the diversity of our board, and Farringdon’s Doubles ball to join the fight against and positively influence our we will continue to ensure we are GEORGE BOWEN discrimination by signing up environment.” representative of the sport and Hamilton 2:40 (nap) to an Equal Game. The launch comes a year to athletes we serve.” league misses out on immense “It shouldn’t have taken the ORIENTAL LILLY The message is spearheaded the day since the murder in the Rugby Football League (RFL) talent, passion, skills and expe- murder of a defenceless black Hamilton 00:00 by stars Paul Pogba, Jadon San- United States of Floyd, which chief executive Ralph Rimmer rience, as well as opportunities man on the other side of the cho, Moise Kean, Pernille Harder, sparked global anti-discrimi- has written an open letter on to connect, learn, grow, and Atlantic to bring that home to Houseman’s Choice Matthijs De Ligt and Joao Felix, nation protests and demands rugby-league.com admitting his expand. us, but to some extent it did. GRANITE CITY DOC who have shared personal sto- for change across all different sport needs to do more. “Some people don’t think “George Floyd, may you rest Hamilton 3:10 ries and digital signature cards areas of life. “The truth is that, when racism exists in rugby league in power and peace.” on their social media platforms. UK Athletics (UKA) marked spectators returned last week, but the reaction on RFL social Uefa president Aleksander the anniversary by reaffirming black faces were few and far media channels at any mention Published by Peoples Press MSTAR 2021-05-26 WED 1.2 Ceferin said: “It is inspiring “its commitment to zero toler- between,” said Rimmer. of Black Lives Matter tells a dif- Printing Society Ltd (12750R), to see a younger generation ance of racism and all forms of “The reality is that our sport ferent story.” William Rust House, 52 Beachy 21 Road, Bow, London E3 2NS. of top footballers using their discrimination.” is not fully representative of Last October, the RFL intro- Telephone: (020) 8510-0815. influence to stand up, tackle UKA established a Let’s our communities – on profes- duced Tackle It, a four-year Email: enquiries@peoples-press. discrimination and educate Talk about Race programme, sional or community pitches, action plan to make rugby com. Printed by trade union and inspire others. a RACEquality Network and in boardrooms and clubhouses, league an inclusive sport. labour at Reach. “We feel strongly committed Diversity Action Plan to address on the terraces and out in those “A truly diverse and inclu- to this cause and have chosen the issue. communities. sive rugby league is a stronger the global reach of Euro 2020 The governing body said in a “And this means that rugby rugby league,” said Rimmer. Wednesday May 26 2021 9 770307 175336