PAGE 11 FEATURE: THE US WANTS REAL CHANGE – THE LEFT MUST MAKE IT HAPPEN

for Peace and Socialism

£1.20 Wednesday April 21 2021 Proudly owned by our readers | Incorporating the Daily Worker | Est 1930 | morningstaronline.co.uk SPYCOPS WERE

n NEWS ‘ENCOURAGED’ Ex-Tory candidate in fresh ‘cronyism’ row THE government could face legal action after ex-Tory parliamentary candidate Samir Jassal was revealed as the contact for a £100 million PPE deal made last year. TO SLEEP WITH Turn to page 5

n WORLD Chad president ‘dies after fighting rebels’ THE central African leader THEIR TARGETS was killed in battle with insurgents, the army said, Activist says top Met cops knew o!cer was intimate with her hours after his election win. Turn to page 6 by Bethany Rielly She claims that senior police were Mr Kennedy had recorded the activ- sexual relationship with Ms Wilson. aware of her relationship with Mr ist as his next of kin, Ms Kilroy said, Mr Kennedy had sexual relationships Kennedy, which she says was “part and recorded being at her house “day with as many as 10 other women during SENIOR Met Police o!cers “encouraged of a practice of permitting under- after day.” She said it was “totally his deployment. or tolerated” undercover cops having cover o!cers … to enter into sexual implausible” that his superiors did not The case comes as the Under- sexual relationships with their targets, relationships.” know about the deception. cover Policing Inquiry, investigating a tribunal heard yesterday. Opening her case before the Inves- The lawyer argued that a “culture of abuses by o!cers in two secret police Kate Wilson, a green activist duped tigatory Powers Tribunal at the Royal tolerance” within the National Public units, resumes this week after a into a relationship with a spycop, is Courts of Justice in central London yes- Order Intelligence Unit, in which Mr five-month pause. suing the force as the latest step in her terday, Ms Wilson’s lawyer Charlotte Kennedy served, and its sister unit, the Blacklist Support Group secretary 10-year battle for the truth. Kilroy QC said: “Mark’s supervisors Special Demonstration Squad, allowed Dave Smith, a core participant in the Her nearly two-year relationship must have realised that he would be o!cers to routinely deceive women inquiry, said that Ms Wilson “is an with Mark Kennedy began in 2003, unable to maintain [his fake identity] into sexual relationships. absolute inspiration.” without her knowing that he was a successfully without having been seen Police have admitted that Mr Ken- “Her 10-year legal battle, and the police spy sent to gather intelligence to enter into a romantic relationship. nedy’s immediate o!cer, who he was activist-led spycops campaign that on her and the environmental groups It would have appeared suspicious.” in contact with from 2003 to 2010, was arose out of it, has uncovered more n FOOTBALL she was campaigning with. She said it was evident from logs aware that the two had a personal rela- about undercover political police In 2010 she found out that her kept by Mr Kennedy during his deploy- tionship and “ought to have realised it in the UK than the public inquiry New league sparks ex-partner was an undercover ment that he and Ms Wilson were in an was sexual.” will ever disclose.” police o!cer, who at the time they intimate relationship, due to the “sheer Ms Wilson is suing both the Met Yesterday it was announced that a fan-ownership calls were together had been married density of contact” between them. and the National Police Chiefs Coun- subsequent phase of the inquiry, which with children. The weekly logs contained record- cil (NPCC) for “egregious and serious had been due to start in October, will SCOTTISH MPs join calls In submissions to support her case, ings of political and social activities violations” of her human rights. be delayed by six months “due to the for reform in the wake of Ms Wilson argues that there was “wide- and were shared by Mr Kennedy with The force and the NPCC have amount of work involved” in allowing the European Super League, spread indi"erence, or express or tacit his superiors. They are among the doc- accepted that Mr Kennedy’s actions one extra person to participate, accord- saying that the sport must encouragement” towards undercover uments that the Met has been forced amount to a breach of her rights, ing to an o!cial statement. not be owned by “a cartel of o!cers beginning intimate relation- to disclose to Ms Wilson during her but deny that senior o!cers knew [email protected] billionaires at the top.” ships while they were deployed. long-running legal battle. or suspected that he was in a Feature: p8 Turn to page 16

has kindly provided today’s pdf edition Unite the union free to all delegates to the Scottish Congress Morning Star morningstaronline.co.uk Wednesday morningstaronline 2 April 21 2021 news @m_star_online

#STUC21 124TH STUC ANNUAL CONGRESS

n HOLYROOD ELECTIONS n INEQUALITY ‘We cannot FOYER: POLITICIANS MUST PAY and must not return to normal’ HEED TO A PEOPLE’S RECOVERY TACKLING inequality and child poverty must be a focus STUC urges priority for reform of care sector, action on pay and green jobs investment as SNP and Labour set out plans for politicians and the trade union movement, delegates by Niall Christie national care service and a The calls came after Mr Sarwar backed trade demanded during an STUC Scotland editor sustainable recovery from speeches by both SNP leader union demands for increased debate session yesterday. coronavirus. Nicola Sturgeon and Scottish pay for public-sector work- Delegates condemned the STUC general secretary Labour leader Anas Sarwar ers, pledging a national job- unacceptably high levels of SCOTLAND’S most senior trade Roz Foyer reiterated the trade during the second day of creation scheme. poverty and inequality in Scot- unionist has laid out workers’ union movement’s calls for the STUC conference yesterday. He also committed to a land, with those representing demands ahead of May’s Scot- transformative policies from The First Minister claimed national care service built on minority groups underlining tish Parliament elections, Holyrood’s next government, that the SNP would publish a quality of service and reward that we “we cannot, and must including demands for a laying out the need for a 10-year strategy for “economic for social care sta", not profit. not, return to normal.” national recovery after the transformation” within six Ms Foyer welcomed commit- Stella Rooney of the STUC pandemic. months of the election, which ments from both parties on youth committee highlighted would set out the steps “to key-worker pay, the care sec- the financial challenges fac- deliver a green economic tor, and on tackling fire-and- ing young people in Scotland, recovery and support new rehire policies by bosses, but particularly through the pan- green jobs.” said that politicians must do demic. Ms Sturgeon also said more to improve the lives of Nicola Fisher of teaching that her government working people. union EIS said: “We lived in a would push West- “We know the economic precarious and unequal society, minster on the use recovery will be challenging; STRATEGY: First Minister and had a precarious world of of fire-and-rehire we need new ideas that will Nicola Sturgeon work well before Covid. It is tactics and for make a real di"erence to work- unacceptable and not good full control of ing people, will give them job tive bargaining, pay and trade enough.” employment security and a future,” she said. union representation will drive Musicians Union Scotland rights. “We expect the next govern- profiteers from the sector. committee member high- ment of Scotland to deliver “A national recovery needs to lighted the impact the corona- urgent reform of care, take be based on support for work- virus pandemic has had on the CHALLENGE: action on pay and to match ing people across Scotland, and arts, saying the industry “has STUC general the promise of a green recovery our people’s recovery provides been let down” by the West- secretary Roz with the scale of investment we the framework to change our minster government. Foyer need. economy, to redistribute wealth The STUC reported an “Trade unions have shifted and tackle the inequalities in increase in a#liated member- the conversation on social care, our society. ship over the past year, with making sure it is now top of the “We will continue to demand the Pharmacists’ Defence Asso- political agenda. We know that that our elected representatives ciation union and its 32,000 a radical overhaul of the sec- deliver for working people.” members now a#liated to the tor is needed, and only collec- [email protected] congress. n SHOCK REPORT Workers going hungry: union calls for a legal right to food by Niall Christie worker told the study he was Sarah Woolley said: “Our Scotland editor stuck on a minimum-wage report highlights the shame- zero-hours contract, which ful truth of food poverty in has led to “a very di"cult the food industry. A SHOCKING new study has and unhealthy situation at “No-one should go with- suggested almost one in five home.” out food in the sixth-richest food workers have gone The findings were unveiled country in the world, yet, hungry because of a lack of at an STUC congress fringe shamefully, too many food money during the pandemic. event calling for new “right workers are struggling to The Right to Food report, earn enough to purchase published by the Bakers, the very food they produce. Food and Allied Workers “The pandemic has shone Union (BFAWU) yesterday, a light on the real key work- shows 40 per cent of sta! in ers in this country — we the industry had eaten less can’t allow them to be failed than they should because of any longer. We can’t sit back a lack of cash over the past while people are struggling year. to survive. Testimony from union to food” legislation. “The time is right for the members showed more than The BFAWU said that the right to food to be enshrined a fifth of workers relied on scale of food poverty among in law, to make food truly food from friends and rela- food workers was “shame- accessible, a!ordable, tives, while 7 per cent had ful” and represented a clear healthy, safe to eat and fairly experience of using food- need to “enshrine the right produced by well-paid and banks. to food in law.” protected sta! throughout PLEDGES: Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar and social security spokeswoman Pam Duncan-Glancy meet A male food production BFAWU general secretary the food sector.” in Hayburn Park, Glasgow, yesterday before his address to the STUC congress morningstaronline.co.uk Morning Star morningstaronline Wednesday @m_star_online news April 21 2021 3 n SCOTLAND n UNEMPLOYMENT Crisis looms among student paramedics over cash worries ONS figures: Most people CAMPAIGNERS have warned made up of students at five of a looming crisis among training universities in student paramedics in Scot- Scotland, was set up last losing jobs are under 25 land, with new research year to secure a bursary for revealing that one in 10 have student paramedics equal to by Matt Trinder considered suicide due to that received by nurses and Industrial reporter INDUSTRY IN CRISIS: Hospitality their precarious financial midwives. workers protest in Parliament position. It has been backed by a Square against tougher coronavirus The study carried out by number of unions and all YOUNG workers are bearing restrictions and the amount of the Pay Student Paramed- of Scotland’s political par- the brunt of the Covid-19 pan- financial support given to the ics campaign shows over- ties, with the campaign now demic, the TUC warned yester- industry, October 2020 whelming pressure on those pushing for the bursary to day, after new figures revealed training in the field, be put in place by this Sep- more than half of people losing with more than tember. jobs were under 25. half report- One student said: “None Data from the O"ce for ing that of us deserve financial National Statistics (ONS) they have burden while studying to showed the number of young considered play such an important workers was down by 436,000 d r o p p i n g role within our commu- since January 2020, accounting out due to nities. for six in 10 of all employee jobs money wor- “We are proud of what lost. ries. we are working towards The figures showed a slight The cam- but we are shouting from fall in the unemployment paign, the rooftops for rate overall — from 5 per help to enable cent between September and us to continue November to 4.9 per cent in the our studies.” latest quarter — but the num- ber of workers on UK payrolls actually fell by 56,000 in March as lockdown restrictions con- tinued to take their toll. Overall, there were 813,000 fewer people on payrolls than in March 2020 when the pan- restrictions. “Young workers into poverty.” Labour’s shadow more than a year.” demic hit. are bearing the brunt of this secretary for work and pen- Chancellor Rishi Sunak Both the TUC and Labour pandemic,” she said. sions Jonathan Reynolds said: said: “Protecting jobs and the called on ministers to do “Many of them working in “Unemployment is persistently economy has been my focus more to support young work- badly hit industries like retail, high, yet the government’s pro- since this pandemic began. ers, including revamping the hospitality and the arts have grammes to get people back Through the furlough scheme Kickstart scheme, which has lost their jobs and are at risk into work are still not up and alone we have protected 11.2 created just 6,000 jobs since it of long-term unemployment. running. million jobs. n SCOTLAND was set up last year despite its “Ministers must reboot the “Those who have lost their “I will continue to put peo- £2 billion budget. Kickstart scheme and create jobs deserve so much better: ple at the heart of the govern- TUC general secretary good new jobs in green trans- Labour’s jobs promise would ment’s response through our Frances O’Grady said the data port, infrastructure and social guarantee young people out of Plan for Jobs, supporting and C-19 cost among proved the need for urgent care — and boost universal work for six months a training creating jobs across the coun- action to support people, credit so that people who have or job placement and make sure try.” workers in local despite the easing of some lost their jobs are not plunged no-one is left out of work for [email protected] n COURTS CPB Yorkshire District government and York & Humber Branch Appeal Court judges consider Women & Class in Culture: by Niall Christie Mark Ferguson, Unison A celebration of women’s voices Scotland editor Scotland local government Corbyn’s words defamatory chairman, said: “It is clear April 24, 4-6pm that more needs to be done JEREMY CORBYN has lost an ing been “incredibly disrup- with Maxine Peake, Fran Lock, Jane Burn, Clare Shaw MORE than a quarter of local- to support our members and appeal against a High Court tive” and “very abusive” at and Golnoosh Nour government workers in Scot- to recognise their e!orts judge’s findings in a libel a meeting in the House of Register: bit.ly/YorksCPB land have sought medical help through their pay and claim brought against the Commons the same year at Sisters, Socialism and Struggle on May 8: see CPB website for mental health issues in the rewards.” former Labour leader by which Manuel Hassassian, past year, a trade union survey The report also showed a political blogger. then the Palestinian has indicated. that four in 10 said there had Commentator Authority’s ambas- A report published yesterday been no change in the level Richard Mil- sador to Britain, by Unison lays bare the impact of support provided to them lett is suing was speaking. of the pandemic on local gov- by their employer compared Mr Corbyn Mr Corbyn says ernment workers, including with pre-Covid. (pictured) he was defending lost holidays and extra hours Just under a fifth had suf- over remarks himself against worked. fered a bereavement as a he made in allegations of More than 12,000 Unison result of Covid, with the an interview a nt i- se m it i sm members working at Scotland’s majority of these workers say- on the BBC’s when he made councils were asked about the ing they took no time o! work Andrew Marr the comments and pandemic’s toll on their health to deal with this and 72 per Show in 2018, is contesting the case. over the past year, with eight cent saying they received no when he was leader However, Mr Corbyn’s in 10 saying their stress lev- support from their employer. of the opposition. appeal was dismissed by els had risen and 27 per cent The findings “lay bare the During the broadcast, Mr three senior judges at the reporting that they had sought enormous sacrifices these Corbyn was asked if he was Court of Appeal yesterday, professional help over their workers have made to keep an anti-semite and shown who ruled his comments mental health in the past year. our services going” and they a recording of a speech he were defamatory at com- The survey also indicates need support to “provide them made in 2013 in which he mon law. that six in 10 workers had to with the reward and recogni- referred to “zionists” who Unless a settlement is do more work than usual and tion that they deserve,”said “don’t understand English reached between Mr Corbyn more than a third said they the union’s head of local gov- irony.” and Mr Millett, the case will had lost annual leave due to ernment, Johanna Baxter. In response, Mr Corbyn now proceed to a full libel work pressure. [email protected] referred to two people hav- trial. Morning Star morningstaronline.co.uk Wednesday morningstaronline 4 April 21 2021 news @m_star_online

in brief n OMAN Lecturers strike over role changes ‘BRUTAL DICTATOR EDUCATION: College lectur- ers launched two days of strike action yesterday over changes to job roles. Members of the Educa- WAS ADVISED BY tional Institute of Scotland Further Education Lectur- ers’ Association (EIS-FELA) will continue action today in a dispute over concerns BRITISH OFFICIALS’ that the job of lecturer is threatened by replacement NUMEROUS MEETINGS: Qaboos consulted with Establishment figures with lower-paid roles. But the Colleges Scotland by Bethany Rielly tan Qaboos was presiding over which usually claims to respect Employers’ Association a repressive dictatorship, with human rights and people’s free- called it an “unfounded laws banning political parties dom of choice, were involved allegation.” OMAN’S late dictator received and independent media, he was directly in humiliating citizens decades of secret advice from secretly receiving advice from and depriving them of their Pledge for minimum a group of senior figures in the some of the most senior figures rights.” British Establishment, includ- in the British Establishment. Oman dissident Khalfan al- income guarantee ing heads of MI6 and a foreign These annual meetings were Badwawi said: “This is proof minister, an investigation allegedly held every January that British colonialism never LABOUR: Scottish Labour revealed yesterday. since 1990, with Qaboos flying ended. Omanis have long sus- will pledge today to The secret group of advisers, the group in on his private jet. pected that MI6 treats our “repair and renew the including a British oil execu- The last meeting took place as country like their back garden. safety net” and intro- tive, an ex-governor of the Bank recently as 2019, a year before These British privy councillors duce a minimum income of England and six members of Qaboos’s death. need to get out of Oman.” guarantee using Holy- the House of Lords, may have Qaboos ruled Oman for 50 Mr Duncan is said to have rood’s social security broken transparency rules by years. During that time he secretly attended at least 14 ses- powers. failing to declare their services spent billions on British arms sions of Oman’s “privy council” The party will commit to a foreign head of state. and surveillance. since 2001, including when he to doubling the Scottish The existence of the secret Oman pro-democracy cam- was serving as a foreign min- child payment to £20 group was revealed last week paigners told Declassified that ister. per week, with an extra by former Tory MP Alan Dun- the existence of the secret Despite requirements in the £5 for disabled children, can in his diary, with further council proved Qaboos was an ministerial code to declare and automating pay- revelations unearthed by “agent of the British empire.” such exchanges and interests, ments so that families Declassified, an investigative Omani Centre for Human Mr Duncan did not do so. don’t need to apply. news site focused on British Rights chairman Nabhan al- The Foreign O!ce has been n MIGRANTS’ RIGHTS foreign policy and the military. Hanashi said it showed advisers approached for comment. ‘Green fleet’ plan Reports reveal that while Sul- from “a country like Britain, [email protected] for ferry network Detainees need TRANSPORT: The Scottish n ENERGY Greens have pledged to develop a “green fleet” safeguards in strategy to upgrade Scot- Plans to cut gas jobs are ‘irresponsible’ land’s ferry network. PLANS to cut up to 450 jobs at Unison stressed that the low- led by greed at a business which Ahead of May’s election, the country’s biggest gas dis- est-paid sta" would be a"ected, already generates huge profits. the party has said it would tribution company are “irre- including those who work in “Making brutal cuts like this prison, court rules end the competitive bid- sponsible and unnecessary” customer services and techni- will have a serious impact on ding process and recatego- and must be urgently reconsid- cal, scheduling and dispatch, the company’s customers, who by Bethany Rielly Last week the Court of rise inter-island ferries as ered, the Unison union warned repair planning and supervisory will struggle to get decent sup- Appeal ruled that, in these publicly owned Scottish yesterday. team roles. port and access to engineers. two cases, the absence of an national infrastructure, As part of a consultation The union called for bosses “These proposals will also be A LACK of safeguards for immi- equivalent procedure in jails delivered by Transport which began this week, Cadent to properly engage with reps a major blow to [key workers] at gration detainees in prisons is was “irrational, and therefore Scotland and Calmac. Gas has announced that many and also rule out making any Cadent, who will be understand- unlawful, the Court of Appeal unlawful.” Co-leader Patrick Harvie customer-facing roles will be compulsory redundancies. ably worried about losing their has ruled. The ruling overturned a said these were “vital life- axed despite past assurances National o!cer Matthew jobs in a pandemic.” Hundreds of detainees are previous decision in the High line services.” that no such plans were being Lay said: “The plans are simply Cadent Gas has been con- held in prisons under immigra- Court earlier this year which made, the union said. irresponsible, unnecessary and tacted for comment. tion powers. But unlike people claimed that the di"erence Further easing of held in Britain’s detention cen- was “not irrational.” tres, they cannot benefit from Responding to the ruling, restrictions unveiled procedures that identify and Bail for Immigration Detain- protect vulnerable detainees, ees research and policy co- COVID: Nicola Sturgeon LIFE’S A BEACH: People relax known as Rule 35. ordinator Rudy Schulkind has said the continued on the beach at Weston-super- Under the rule, doctors in said that the group’s clients in suppression of corona- Mare, Somerset immigration removal centres prisons are being held “indefi- virus and the success of are required to raise concerns nitely” and denied access to the vaccine rollout mean about vulnerable detainees to legal advice. further restrictions can the Home O!ce, including if a He said: “For many, this be lifted from Monday. person is suicidal or a victim of confluence of factors has The First Minister torture. resulted in a significant confirmed the country This can lead to people deterioration in their men- will move from level four being released from detention, tal health, but as the court to level three of the Scot- but doctors in prisons are not has found, the safeguards to tish government’s five required to do this. prevent the wrongful deten- tiers of restrictions. Two former prison detainees, tion of vulnerable people are Ms Sturgeon said it one originally from Pakistan inadequate. was expected that all of and the other from Nigeria, took “This is the second time in Scotland would move the Home O!ce to court to chal- as many months that the sys- to level two on May 17, lenge the di"erences in the two tem of immigration detention while the intention is for facilities, saying it amounts to in prisons has been found to be Scotland to move to level “systematic unfairness.” unlawful — it is high time that one from June 7 and to Both said they are victims of the government put an end to level zero in “late June.” past torture, with scarring to this inhumane practice.” prove it. [email protected] morningstaronline.co.uk Morning Star morningstaronline Wednesday @m_star_online news April 21 2021 5

n n INDUSTRY SAXON REEDOUBT: Thatcher Lyle Morgans works on the roof of a new Saxon hall at COVID-19 Butser Ancient Farm in Hampshire. Based on a 7th-century Anglo-Saxon hall house found near the nearby village of Chalton, it is being constructed using traditional Loss for 65s timber framing and thatching techniques, using 3.5 tons of reed thatch on the roof and over is Labour: act now at 290,000 to save firms in A CHARITY is calling on the government to provide more support for bereaved people after estimating that up to steel supply chain 290,000 people over 65 have lost a loved one since the start by Matt Trinder refused it a £30 million loan. of the pandemic. Industrial reporter This cost supply chain busi- The analysis, by charity nesses an estimated £500 mil- Independent Age, notes a 17 lion, with many going out of per cent increase on the aver- LABOUR called on Boris John- business, Labour said. age number of deaths over the son to save Liberty Steel yester- The party also urged minis- past five years. day, in order to protect 3,300 ters to publish a comprehensive Of those who have lost a jobs in the steel supply chain plan for domestic steel produc- loved one, the charity predicts across the country. tion which should include a that 20,000 people are likely Shadow business minister detailed strategy on how to to develop complicated grief: Lucy Powell warned last night transition to “green” steel. painful emotions of loss that that businesses across the Ms Powell said: “Liberty Steel continue after the “normal” north of England, the Midlands, plants support thousands of grieving process. Wales and Scotland would suf- steel and supply jobs in towns Gillian, who lost her hus- fer if the company, owned by across the country and are of band John last year after 50 GFG Alliance, a conglomerate vital strategic importance.” years of marriage, said Covid-19 headed by steel tycoon Sanjeev “Ministers are not spectators had made the grieving process Gupta, collapsed. — they must intervene early to “so much harder.” Its reliance on cash from save these plants or we’ll see “I was the only attendee at Greensill, the supply chain businesses in places like Hartle- his funeral as I didn’t want finance provider which col- pool, Scunthorpe, Rotherham, older relatives to risk catching lapsed last month, has put Stocksbridge and Newport go the virus,” she said, thousands of jobs at risk. bust as invoices go unpaid.” Independent Age chief Labour said that the PM Last week, Business Secre- executive Deborah Alsina said: should learn the lessons from tary Kwasi Kwarteng said that “There was a lack of funding British Steel and step in now he wanted to see whether Mr for bereavement services prior to “protect what is left” of the Gupta could refinance the com- to the pandemic, but that can- company. pany himself before deciding not carry on. British Steel went bust in on the government’s response. “This must be a priority.” 2019 after the government [email protected] n TORY SLEAZE Government faces Midlands Post pandemic, a new legal action over deal for workers Online conference PPE procurement 24 April, 11am-12.30pm by Matt Trinder The Department of Health Good Law Project director Industrial reporter and Social Care (DHSC) said Jolyon Maugham said: “The Joint conference exploring how we can build a that due diligence had been first lockdown ended in June. carried out on every contract How can we still have needed new deal for workers after the Covid-19 pandemic. THE government faces possi- and ministers had no involve- PPE so urgently as to award ble legal action after a former ment in awarding them. a vast £100 million-plus PPE The world of work failed too many workers Tory parliamentary candidate It added that all contracts contract without any competi- pre-pandemic and the challenges of the last 12 was revealed as the contact for were published online, in line tion in July? a £100 million deal for per- with transparency arrange- “Could it have something to months have shone a spotlight on the inequalities sonal protective equipment ments. do with close links to Number that ravage our society & workforce. (PPE). But the BBC reported that 10?” The contract to supply even when the £102 million Shadow chancellor of the We must not go back to the old system. We must face masks was awarded in deal was finally published, the Duchy of Lancaster Rachel July 2020 to Pharmaceuticals contact details for the supplier Reeves said: “It says every- build a fairer, more equal society that gives Direct Ltd (PDL) without any were blacked out. thing about the rampant Tory everyone a stake in the economy, a voice at work competition, though details However, in what appears sleaze consuming this govern- were not published until to have been a clerical error, a ment that such a huge con- and hope of a better future. March. separate document published flict of interest was revealed PDL’s representative was with the contract gives Mr Jas- by mistake. Join the discussion on how we do it. Samir Jassal, who twice stood sal’s name as the “supplier’s “The government keeps say- as a Conservative candidate contact.” ing that it wants to be trans- Confirmed speakers: at general elections and has The Good Law Project said parent on deals — but the met PM Boris Johnson several it was “seriously and legiti- redactions on this contract Sarah Woolley, BFAWU times. mately concerned” that the show that this was a deliber- Laura Pidcock, People’s Assembly The Good Law Project, decision to award the con- ate cover-up. They’ve been Zarah Sultana MP which is investigating how tract had been influenced by caught red-handed.” John Hendy QC, Institute of Employment Rights coronavirus contracts were the involvement of Mr Jassal, Mr Jassal said PDL had Ben Chacko, Morning Star editor awarded, said that details of or even that it “unlawfully 20 years’ experience in the the deal were only disclosed advantaged” PDL in its discus- healthcare sector and the Ben Selby, FBU after it wrote to ministers. sions with ministers. masks produced met “all Annmarie Kilcline, Unite West Midlands regional secretary technical standards which Lee Barron, TUC regional secretary were rigorously vetted” by the (Chair) Louise Regan, NEU & TUC Midlands Chair Left events for the upcoming Health and Safety Executive, week: Red List on Saturdays the DHSC and the NHS. [email protected] Register: mstar.link/NewDeal Morning Star morningstaronline.co.uk Wednesday morningstaronline 6 April 21 2021 world @m_star_online

n REPORTERS WITHOUT BORDERS ‘Pandemic has hit world press freedom’ THERE has been a dramatic nations have serious issues group said. deterioration of press free- with media freedoms. Issues have also arisen dom since the pandemic tore It says countries have used from a drop in public trust across the world, Reporters the coronavirus pandemic, in journalism itself. Report- Without Borders said in its which erupted in China in ers Without Borders said that annual report yesterday. late 2019, “as grounds to 59 per cent of people polled The group’s new World block journalists’ access to in 28 countries claimed that Press Freedom Index, evalu- information, sources and journalists “deliberately try ating the state of the press in reporting in the field.” to mislead the public by 180 countries, paints a stark This is particularly the reporting information they picture, concluding that case in Asia, the Middle East know to be false.” 73 per cent of the world’s and Europe, the campaign

n UNITED STATES BIDEN: I’M PRAYING

SOUTH AFRICA: A South African military helicopter drops water on a fire on Table Mountain in Cape Town, South Africa, yesterday. Residential neighborhoods (below) were lit by the raging fire, which authorities CHAUVIN VERDICT suspected was started by a vacated fire IS THE RIGHT ONE by Our Foreign Desk

US PRESIDENT Joe Biden (pic- tured) said yesterday that he is “praying the verdict is the right verdict” in the trial of former Minneapolis police o!cer Derek Chauvin and that he believed the case, which has gone to the jury and put the nation on edge, to be “overwhelming.” Mr Biden told reporters that he was only weighing in on the trial into the death of George sheri"s deputies and other law investigate the fatal shooting of Floyd, who died with Mr Chau- enforcement personnel have a 13-year-old boy by a Chicago vin’s knee on his neck, because flooded the city in recent days. police o!cer. the jury in the case had been The jury of six white people O!cer Eric Stillman was sequestered. and six people who are black or responding to a call of shots He confirmed that he called of mixed race resumed delib- fired at about 3am on March 29 Mr Floyd’s family on Monday to erations yesterday morning. when he chased Adam Toledo o"er prayers and said he “can Mr Chauvin, 45, is charged into a dark alley. only imagine the pressure and with second-degree murder, Bodycam video released last anxiety they’re feeling.” third-degree murder and sec- week shows the teen appearing “They’re a good family, and ond-degree manslaughter, all to drop a handgun and begin they’re calling for peace and of which require the jury to raising his hands less than a tranquillity no matter what conclude that his actions were second before Mr Stillman fires n CARIBBEAN that verdict is,” Mr Biden said. a “substantial causal factor” in his gun and kills him. “I’m praying the verdict Mr Floyd’s death and that his The video prompted demon- is the right verdict. It’s over- use of force was unreasonable. strations in Chicago, a city with whelming, in my view. I The most serious charge car- a long history of police mis- St Vincent PM’s plea for wouldn’t say that unless the ries up to 40 years in prison. conduct and distrust between jury was sequestered now.” Elsewhere in the United police and the community, More than 3,000 National States, Latino lawyers and especially among black and Guard soldiers, along with community leaders asked the Latino residents. urgent aid as volcano erupts police o!cers, state police, Justice Department yesterday to [email protected] by Our Foreign Desk lenge of humanitarian relief.” week that the island was fac- La Soufriere, the volcano on ing “a humanitarian crisis that St Vincent, unleashed its first is growing and may continue n AFRICA PRIME Minister of St Vincent big eruption of ash and hot for weeks and months.” & the Grenadines Ralph Gon- gas on April 9, a day after the A Venezuelan navy ship has salves has made a heartfelt government ordered people to delivered water and other sup- Chad’s president ‘killed by rebels’ plea to the international com- evacuate homes nearby. Subse- plies to St Vincent and Carib- CHAD’S President Idriss Deby military said. It also imposed a Barkhane counter-insur- munity to help his country quent explosions have followed. bean island nations are also Itno has died of injuries sus- nightly curfew of 6pm. gency in the Sahel region to recover from a volcanic erup- Thousands of people have sending aid. tained while fighting rebels, The president, a former army be based in Chad’s capital tion that has displaced 20,000 been living in government shel- The UN has released $1 mil- the military said yesterday. commander-in-chief, first came N’Djamena. people, saying the Caribbean ters, some of which have been lion (£715,000) from an emer- The announcement came to power in 1990 when his rebel The rebels involved in the island nation is “in its midnight struggling to provide basic sup- gency response fund, according just hours after 68-year-old forces overthrew then presi- current insurgency are believed hour of need.” plies, and water systems are shut to secretary-general Antonio Mr Deby, who ruled the central dent Hissene Habre. to have been armed and trained “Across our land, the faces of down in many parts of the island, Guterres’s o!ce, and the world African nation for more than His death is a major blow to in neighbouring Libya before men and women are strained and which is contending with the body will soon be launching an three decades, was declared the former colonial ruler France, crossing into northern Chad on anxious. They’re hurting badly,” coronavirus pandemic and the emergency appeal for money to winner of the recent presiden- which declared Mr Deby “a election day, April 11. Mr Gonsalves told the United approaching hurricane season. fund the humanitarian e"ort tial election. courageous friend.” Several top opposition can- Nations security council on Mon- The UN’s resident co-ordi- and the early phase of recovery An 18-month transitional He had allowed the approx- didates had boycotted the poll day, adding that his country is nator for Barbados and the for the next six months. council will be led by Mr Deby’s imately 5,000 French troops over a government crackdown confronting “a monumental chal- Eastern Caribbean said last [email protected] 37-year-old son Mahamat, the involved in the Operation on opponents and protesters. morningstaronline.co.uk Morning Star morningstaronline Wednesday @m_star_online world April 21 2021 7

in brief n SIX COUNTIES SOUTH KOREA: University students have their hair Laschet wins CDU shaved during a protest in Seoul to denounce Japan’s decision to release treated radioactive water from the leadership race Bomb found wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant into the Pacific Ocean GERMANY: North Rhine-West- phalia state governor Armin Laschet emerged victorious yesterday from a bruising close to PSNI power struggle to succeed Angela Merkel and lead the Christian Democratic Union into September’s election. o!cer’s Co Laschet now faces a bigger battle: to connect with vot- ers and win over frustrated fellow conservatives who backed his more popular Derry home rival, Markus Soeder. Mr Soeder conceded, by Our Foreign Desk sident republicans for the pledging: “We will support attempted attack. him without a grudge, with She said: “To the republi- all our strength.” THE Police Service of North- cans who sought to murder ern Ireland (PSNI) announced this young mother, your cam- yesterday that an explosive paign is futile, you will never Osaka asks Japan for device had been found close to succeed and whilst there may an o!cer’s home in Co Derry always be di"erent political state of emergency on Monday. views in Northern Ireland, we The woman targeted is a will keep moving forward and JAPAN: Osaka asked the member of sta" who also serves we will not be dragged back by government yesterday to as a part-time police o!cer. bombers or those who would declare a state of emer- The device was found outside seek to use the gun to get their gency in the region after her home in a rural area close own political way.” ongoing alert measures to Dungiven. The incident follows unrest failed to control the A security operation has from loyalist groups angered by spread of a more conta- been ongoing since Monday on the post-Brexit trading arrange- gious coronavirus variant. the Ballyquin Road since the ments that they believe have n MYANMAR Osaka governor discovery of the device. created new barriers between Hirofumi Yoshimura’s PSNI Assistant Chief Con- Northern Ireland and Britain. decision to request a stable Mark McEwan said: “I Furniture was set ablaze in third state of emergency can confirm that the device is the middle of the Shankill Road EU expands sanctions on comes just 50 days after viable and investigations are in West Belfast on Monday even- an earlier toothless state ongoing to establish the full ing, close to where a bus was set of emergency ended. circumstances. alight earlier this month. The city is expected to “We are treating this as an Police attended to monitor army coup leaders and firms close shopping centres attack on a member of sta" crowds gathered across Lanark and other facilities. who also serves her community Way and the Shankill Road on by Our Foreign Desk Myanmar’s economy is All are subject to having as a part-time police o!cer.” the loyalist side of the nearby already in crisis, worsened by their assets frozen, travel Describing the incident as “rep- peace line. the coronavirus pandemic and banned and other measures. rehensible,” Sinn Fein’s Deputy O!cers came under sporadic THE European Union expanded by the mass civil disobedience EU citizens and businesses are Unknown applies First Minister Michelle O’Neill attack, but calm had been its sanctions against Myanmar’s movement that arose following banned from doing business or said that those involved in the restored by around 9pm. military leaders and army-con- the February 1 coup. providing funds to them with- for Syria top job attack “will not succeed in their Meanwhile peaceful loyal- trolled companies yesterday The EU said that the number out special permission. regressive and toxic agenda.” ist protests took place in other ahead of a regional meeting of individuals sanctioned has “Today’s decision is a sign of SYRIA: A woman from “All politicians must unite locations, including in Newtow- to discuss the worsening crisis expanded to include 35 peo- the EU’s unity and determina- Damascus has applied to against these reckless actions. nards, Co Down. after army leaders deposed the ple it said were responsible tion in condemning the brutal run in the presidential We must keep building the The loyalists’ protests had elected government. for undermining democracy actions of the military junta elections, the parliament’s peace for our children.” temporarily paused following The EU Council of Europe’s and the rule of law, for repres- and aims at e"ecting change speaker said yesterday, First Minister Arlene Fos- the death of Prince Philip. latest sanctions target 10 sive decisions and for serious in the junta’s leadership,” the becoming the first woman ter was quick to blame dis- [email protected] individuals and two military- human rights violations. EU said in a statement. to make a bid for the coun- controlled companies already The two military-controlled “Today’s decision also sends try’s top job in a largely subject to sanctions by the US, companies: Myanma Economic a clear message to the military symbolic vote certain to be 0778 0220 391 Britain and other governments. Holdings Public Company Ltd leadership: continuing on the won by President Bashar [email protected] It is unclear if such moves are (MEHL) and Myanmar Eco- current path will only bring al-Assad. ADVERTISE HERE having any impact as the mili- nomic Corp (MEC) have vast further su"ering and will never The presidential election, tary escalates its e"orts to crush holdings in many industries grant any legitimacy,” it said. the second since the coun- opposition to its seizure of power. and help to fund the military. [email protected] try’s civil war broke out 10 years ago, is to be held on n CORONAVIRUS May 26. Faten Ali Nahar, 50, nominated herself for the India Congress president Northants Morning Star post. Little is known about her. tests positive for Covid Readers & Supporters INDIAN National Congress Singh also tested positive and president Rahul Gandhi says was hospitalised as a precau- Scientist names bug that he has tested positive for tion. Mr Singh, 88, had a mild Palestine & Kurdistan Covid-19 after experiencing fever on Sunday. after C-19 contagion mild symptoms. India’s Health Ministry KOSOVO: A scientist has Mr Gandhi, 50, said in a reported 259,170 new infections Monday May 3rd, 7-8.30pm named a newly discov- tweet yesterday that “all and 1,761 deaths on yesterday. ered insect species after those who’ve been in contact The country has reported daily Via Zoom the coronavirus. with me recently, please fol- infections above the 200,000 Having spent years low all safety protocols and mark for six days. Speakers: Morning Star international researching a caddisfly stay safe.” The capital New Delhi endemic to Kosovo’s Mr Gandhi last week called imposed a week-long lockdown editor Steve Sweeney western Bjeshket e o" political rallies in West Ben- on Monday night to prevent the Northants PSC’s Michael Sumner Nemuna national park, gal state where provincial elec- collapse of the city’s health sys- biologist Halil Ibrahimi tions are being held. tem, which authorities said had Chair: Dr Sonya Andermahr decided to name it Pota- On Monday, another top Con- been pushed to its limit amid mophylax coronavirus. gress Party leader and former an explosive surge in corona- To register, email: [email protected] prime minister Manmohan virus cases. Morning Star morningstaronline.co.uk Wednesday morningstaronline 8 April 21 2021 features @m_star_online

Star comment BETHANY RIELLY charts the story of shattered lives and sexual Derek Chauvin’s trial, abuse exposed by the undercover The spycops inquiry: systemic racism and policing inquiry so far – and asks capitalist crisis what next for those who fought so THOUSANDS of US school students in hundreds of hard to bring the inquiry about schools walked out in protest as the jury retired for What have we learnt? the verdict on the killing of George Floyd in the trial in which Minneapolis police o!cer Derek Chauvin is accused of murder. HE public inquiry unit’s 40-year his- When Minnesota students organised a mass sit-down into undercover tory from 1968 to in the snow last Monday it wasn’t explicitly around the policing is back 1972. present trial but to honour the life of Daunte Wright, this week to shed Getting to the killed a week previously by another Minneapolis police more light on bottom of these o!cer. one of the force’s questions, when It is not the explosive character of each single inci- Tmost coveted secrets. most of those dent that fuels these protests by young people but the Restarting after a five-month involved are now understanding that this violence is a permanent part pause, the next stage of the deceased, was never of their world — unless they do something about it. inquiry, which is working chron- going to be an easy As of last month 126 mass shootings left 148 people ologically through decades of task. dead and 481 injured in the United States in this year undercover policing and serial But through the alone. abuses by o"cers, will now look release of declassi- The cultural milieu in which young people mature at operations from 1973 to 1982. fied documents as in the US is one in which violence and the use of weap- But what have we learnt from well as evidence onry is normalised and in which the untrammelled the undercover policing inquiry from seven police projection of force is exalted as the essential feature so far, and do the campaigners, witnesses — among of state policy at home and abroad. who fought for years to uncover them some of the What is striking about these events is the spontane- the truth, feel satisfied with its SDS’s very first ity with which a new generation of young people find progress? Before we move on to recruits — a num- common cause and are moved to action. the second round of hearings, ber of key revela- here’s a little recap. tions emerged. ‘RIGHT TO PROTEST’: Anti-spycop Perhaps the most campaigner Helen Steel What is the undercover astonishing was the It is not simply that social media has transformed policing inquiry? admission that the the speed with which ideas and initiatives can take secret unit worked hand in mentary fake profiles, with hold of the imagination but that there already exists The judge-led inquiry was hand with MI5, something most even returning home to in the minds of millions a sense that what is rotten in launched in 2014 by Theresa campaigners always suspected hang up their combat boots society can and must be tackled by collective action. May, following years of revela- but had never been confirmed. rather than assuming the life It is commonplace now to remark that these pro- tions exposing industrial-scale All SDS reports were shared of an activist 24/7. tests and the Black Lives Matters mass mobilisations undercover policing of protest directly with MI5, while their But while the early tactics of — notably in each of the countries subject to the per- groups arching back decades. relationship was so close the the SDS may have had a less vasive influence of North American culture — find a After a six-year delay, the secret service even considered devastating impact on the lives real and growing response from people of all ages but probe began hearing evidence financing the unit, the inquiry of their targets, campaigners especially from the young. in November 2020. The mam- heard. say it was evident that the sex- The world into which young North Americans enter moth inquiry is investigating Police witness Joan Hillier ism, racism and contempt for LONG BATTLE: Protesters in as adults is marked by a rising tempo of tension both abuses carried out by two secret told the inquiry she considered campaigners was present from 2011 at New Scotland Yard call within their society and around the world, under- units: Scotland Yard’s Special the SDS an “extension of MI5.” the very beginning. for a judge-led inquiry into the pinned by a real fear for the future of the planet. Demonstration Squad (SDS) The collaboration began This was seen by the spycops’ use of undercover policing Their leaders are busily ramping up tension in a and the National Public Order when the SDS was first formed, reports which were littered rerun of the original cold war and in the immedi- Intelligence Unit (NPOIU), with the two working together with discriminatory remarks ate domestic environment, deaths at the hands of the which together infiltrated more to infiltrate the anti-Vietnam (one describes a female cam- police provide counterpoint to an unending series of than 1,000 protest groups over war movement. paigner as “well-busted”) while mass killings by the malign and the deranged. 40 years. The inquiry heard how the the first recruits exclusively tar- What is significant about the Minneapolis crowd is In harrowing opening state- police unit was set up with the geted left-wing organisations that they see the coercive arm of the state as an essen- ments, the inquiry heard how support and funding of the and anti-racism groups. tial part of the problem. Hence the chants “National spycops shattered the lives of Home O"ce in the wake of pub- Guard go home.” their targets, forging intimate lic disorder at a protest against ‘Guardians on the sexual relationships and even the war in London in 1968. edge of society’ fathering children while under- O"cers argued that infiltrat- cover. ing left-wing groups would help All police witnesses, bar one, It is a sign of how brittle is the mood that the entire Spycops stole the identities of prevent a repeat of violence claimed that their roles in the police and military apparatus of mainland US is on dead children to build fake leg- scenes at a protest planned SDS somehow protected democ- alert, conscious that if Chauvin is found not guilty ends, spied on families seeking later that year. racy. the anger will not be contained. justice for loved ones (including But while the demonstration They fancied themselves There is nothing in our immediate and recent expe- the family of murdered teen- came and went, the SDS contin- as “guardians on the edge of rience which suggests that Britain is immune from ager Stephen Lawrence), and ued to operate for another 40 society,” as one ex-cop told the “ these problems. were responsible for numerous years — only disbanding in 2008. inquiry, quietly protecting the Other o!cers Periodically the social tensions which are at the miscarriages of justice. status quo from radicals and heart of late capitalism’s endemic crises erupt and To investigate these horrific Pilot phase revolutionaries. the response of the state is more predictable than the abuses, the inquiry, led by But when asked whether the also admitted changing weather patterns we are learning to tolerate. retired judge Sir John Mitting, The police witnesses — all now groups they’d been ordered to This is a problem for capitalism as a whole. An abso- will hear from more than 200 in their seventies and eighties — spy on posed a threat to the that they did lute majority of people under the age of 40 in the US witnesses and scrutinise thou- were keen to distance themselves public, the resounding answer (approximately 52 per cent) have a more favourable sands of documents in its quest from the abuses carried out by was no. not witness any of socialism than capitalism, while even among the to “get to the truth” — or so later generations of SDS o"cers. One o"cer, who infiltrated over-40s more than a third share these sentiments. campaigners hope. And it’s fair to say that some of the Vietnam Solidarity Cam- In Britain only the over-60s have a more favourable the most damaging tactics did not paign, admitted that while a evidence of view of capitalism than socialism, while the picture ‘An extension of MI5’ seem to appear until later on in group might be “completely in most of Europe is worse for capitalism. the unit’s history. harmless” they would be “asked crime or violence If, as things seem to signify, these problems cannot The first round of hearings, Early SDS o"cers did not seem to find out what their objectives be resolved under capitalism then the main question which took place over three to embark on years-long stints were.” during their is, how do we reach towards a socialism for the 21st weeks, set out to answer why undercover, nor did they steal Other o"cers also admitted century? and how the SDS was created, the identities of dead children. that they did not witness any focusing on a snapshot of the Instead they created rudi- evidence of crime or violence deployments morningstaronline.co.uk Morning Star morningstaronline Wednesday @m_star_online features April 21 2021 9 The spycops inquiry: What have we learnt?

dence online. Instead those wishing to witness the hearings had to sit in a viewing room in the Amba Hotel, in central London. Those following remotely had to contend with a rolling transcript uploaded online with a 10-minute delay. The chair’s conduct during the proceedings also came under fire. At one point he threatened to silence activists’ barrister Rajiv Menon in a remarkable clash that saw the retired judge literally bang his fist on the table. His inability to master the mute function throughout the three weeks (“Sir, you’re on mute” became something of a catchphrase) also added to the at times farcical nature of the proceedings. “I don’t have a lot of faith that it will get to the truth,” Steel says. “The inquiry will find some of the more extreme things to be a breach of human rights … but I think that the inquiry will largely be a com- plete whitewash.”

What next?

The next stage of the inquiry, starting today and ending on May 17 will be look- ing at the SDS’s operations between 1972 and 1982 — a longer period than the first so during their deployments. Were there relationships o"cers had sex with campaign- ‘Sampling the product’ a unit which monitored trade more witnesses will be giving For campaigners, the ex- from the beginning? ers from the unit’s inception. union activities. He also trained evidence. cops’ testimonies strengthened Another shocking moment o"cers who went on to serve Celia Stubbs, who was spied their argument that they were The two are among at least Women’s liberation came when ex-cop “Peter Fred- in the SDS. on for 20 years for campaign- subject to political policing. 30 women known to have been infiltration ericks” took to the stand. ing for justice for her partner Kate Wilson, an environ- duped into long-term intimate To gasps around the view- Whitewash fears Blair Peach, killed by police mental campaigner who was relationships with men who For Wilson, one of the most ing room at the Amba Hotel, during an anti-racism demo deceived into a relationship turned out to be police spies. fascinating moments of the he likened undercover o"cers As a reporter covering the in 1979, is among those due to with undercover o"cer Mark For the women, who have first phase was when “Sandra” a having sex with campaigners to hearings, the inquiry itself give evidence. Kennedy, says it was “clear su#ered lasting trauma from spycop who infiltrated a Maoist police deployed in drug gangs proved to be almost as news- The set-up for accessing from the beginning” that the their experiences, understand- wing of the Women’s Liberation “sampling the product.” worthy as new evidence. hearings has been changed SDS chose its targets based on ing where the relationships Movement, gave evidence. Steel says she can imagine While the principle aim of following complaints, mean- “political prejudice, sexism (which they believe was a SDS bosses chose a woman this was the same attitude the inquiry is to “get to the ing an audio recording of the and racism within the police” deliberate tactic used to gain specifically to spy on the group, shared by her former partner truth” about undercover polic- evidence will now be available rather than any involvement in trust), came from is particu- which campaigned for equal pay, and other o"cers, describing ing, campaigners remain scep- online — a big improvement on criminality of violence. larly important. childcare and decent maternity the comments as “grotesque.” tical about whether it can, or the headache-inducing rolling “When you look at the big- “It’s important to be there leave, for a period of two years. indeed wants, to achieve this. transcript. ger picture it was all political to see how and when it devel- “These are basic demands Police collusion in The probe, and especially its For campaigners, the inquiry persecution of people for their ops,” says Steel, who has been and the police were sending blacklisting chair Sir John Mitting, seen by is a painful process that forces beliefs,” she tells me. searching for answers for 30 a woman to spy on them and campaigners as an “Establish- them to revisit past traumas. “I think the very big problem years ever since her ex-partner she wasn’t even being paid as More was also unearthed on ment figure” has been accused But many are still hopeful with this entire unit is that it John disappeared, only to find much as her male colleagues,” police collusion in the black- of prioritising and overindulg- that it will be worth it, as Wil- was based on the assump- out in 2011 he was a police spy. Wilson says. listing of trade union activists. ing the police. son says: “We fought quite hard tion that there’s something While the police witnesses “They were sending her in One police witness let slip to Anonymity orders granted for the inquiry to happen and wrong with people protesting claimed they did not form per- to set back the women’s move- the inquiry that a senior o"cer to police spies to conceal their the information from it is very and campaigning for a better sonal relationships with activ- ment while she herself was in Special Branch left the force real names (and often cover important for campaigning and world,” Helen Steel, who was ists, the inquiry heard how one facing that kind of inequality.” to join the Economic League, a names), as well as restricted democracy.” also tricked into a relationship o"cer Helen Crampton, who is “Sandra” was the only elderly firm which shared records of access to the hearings has with a spycop says. now deceased, allegedly started spycop to show doubts about left-wing trade unionists with undermined the inquiry’s ■ Bethany Rielly is a reporter at “The very setting up of this a relationship with a prominent her deployment, admitting: “I employers to keep them out of commitment to transparency, the Morning Star. You can follow unit is in conflict with funda- Vietnam Solidarity Campaign could have been doing much work. campaigners say. her ongoing coverage of the under- mental human rights, includ- campaigner in the late ’60s. more worthwhile things with While serving in Special During the first phase there cover policing inquiry here: morn- ing the right to protest.” If proven, this would mean SDS my time.” Branch, the senior o"cer led was no livestream of the evi- ingstaronline.co.uk/tags/spycops. Morning Star morningstaronline.co.uk Wednesday morningstaronline 10 April 21 2021 info | entertainment @m_star_online

WEATHER OUTLOOK days left9 Fighting Fund with Keith Stoddart TODAY NEXT FEW DAYS Fine but cold for Scot- Mostly dry and fine with YOU’VE RAISED: WE NEED: land, Northern Ireland variable cloud cover, and northern England. the best of the bright- Cloudier than recent ness across western days in the south but parts. After frosty starts still dry for most. A few temperatures recover £8,448 £9,553 heavy showers in the to near average by day. south-west. Windy in the south- west. LITTLE of note to report today A few of you have expressed How times have changed: from Bristol and the same was as passing the halfway point concern about my fear of odd I no longer look for style but because “I think it’s worth it.” is proving especially elusive change in the totals. Worry not, dress for comfort. Five one pounds jogged us this month. Let’s hope that it’s not deep-rooted. It goes back Anyway, that’s enough about along. One was accompanied by a CONTACT US changes soon. to my late teens when I dressed me and my young soul rebel simple “thank u” which I’m pass- Actually let’s not just hope, a lot sharper than I do now. days. Let’s thank those who’ve ing to all who support the Fund. but make it happen by getting I was known to never sit moved the Fund forward. I’m o! to dig out my Tamla GENERAL ENQUIRIES CIRCULATION your contributions in today. down while socialising in From Ayre, London and Fife Motown singles and although William Rust House Bernadette Keaveney Twenty-eight contributors case it a!ected the crease in came £10s, a Unite branch in “this old heart of mine’s been 52 Beachy Road, [email protected] sent in £304, which restored my Levi’s Sta Prest chinos and Burnley and a Kent supporter broke a thousand times,” don’t London E3 2NS 0778 0220-391 harmony to our total by bring- small change in a pocket was a sent in £50s, from Pontypridd let it be broken again by April’s [email protected] ing it up to £8,448. disaster to my then lean profile. it’s £30 and a fiver arrived Fund missing our target. (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

SEDENTARY: Sewing may be better than snooker but it is worth remembering that neither burns many calories or helps to improve the cardio-vascular system Alamet’s crosswords are fiendish fun on Saturday

Yesterday’s sudoku

Solution tomorrow… Sewing, snooker and corrupt coppers are good reasons to get some exercise QUIZMASTER with William Sitwell I CAN’T really decide whether OK, so perhaps we aren’t doing next to nothing. TODAY’S QUESTIONS sewing or snooker is the most there yet and will have to Society would actually be boring activity a human make do with The Great British better off if certain people being could dedicate their life Sewing Bee (9pm BBC 1) for the did in fact do nothing, or 1 In University Challenge, all attempting to master. time being. snooker as doing nothing is universities compete as their After pondering this ques- It’s summer week and the sometimes known. own team except two. Which tion I decided that sewing contestants have been tasked Violent criminals and bent two? was by far more useful and with making paper-bag shorts police o"cers are such exam- should really replace snooker before having to turn a pair of ples. Non-bent coppers may also 2 Was Francis Crick a physicist, in the sports pages. men’s swimming shorts into be a model of this population chemist or biologist? I think that if sewing were a summer dress. group too. to be promoted in the same If all that stitching is too Bent Coppers: Crossing the Line of 3 In which English county is way as sports then more peo- high octane for you, then Live Duty (9pm BBC 2) goes even fur- Wigmore Castle? ple would be encouraged to Snooker: The World Championship: 2021 ther than last time into the the take it up. Day Five Evening Session could pro- sleazy world of criminal gangs Recent news about the for- vide some tedious — I mean, and police o"cers on the take. mation of a European Super relaxing — relief. This time around we are League may lead to millions The concluding sessions of taken to 1970s London when a YESTERDAY’S ANSWERS of football fans seeking a new Mark Williams v Sam Craigie sharp increase in pornographic pastime. Sewing may well be it. and Barry Hawkins v Mat- bookshops gave an opportunity 1. True or false: the first Grand National with Tuileries, about a Paris park? Oscar Wilde I can imagine now a world thew Selt will come to you for the fuzz to stick their noses women jockeys was in 1927. False — the first 3. Which natural phenomenon, often seen where every local sports club has live from the Crucible Thea- in the proverbial trough. woman jockey in the Grand National was on ships, was described by Darwin as a dedicated sewing section which tre in Sheffield. Line of Duty is proving to Charlotte Brew (pictured, right), in 1977 ‘nature’s fireworks’? St Elmo’s fire, a coronal competes in leagues and maybe Essentially it’s some blokes be good evidence that the best 2. Which Irish poet wrote Le Jardin de discharge even has its own youth division. walking around a big table police o"cers are fictional. morningstaronline.co.uk Morning Star morningstaronline Wednesday @m_star_online features April 21 2021 11

F you sometimes think that US politicians are aliens descended from another galaxy, you are not alone. A recent Pew O!cial: two-thirds of the poll conducted in Decem- berI 2020 shows that 67 per cent of those surveyed agreed that “most politicians are corrupt.” While the media and the two-party system have done US wants drastic change their best to divide citizens into two warring tribes stand- ing before an unbridgeable chasm, scorn for corrupt poli- ticians transcends that divide. Oddly, this opinion, held by two out of three of our neighbours, does not square with the “respected” indices periodically trotted out by Transparency International or Freedom House that place the US in the upper ranks of corruption-free countries. On the other hand these indices invariably find rampant corruption in the poorer countries of Africa, Asia and Latin America. Whoever is on the US or Europe’s enemies list (Russia, the People’s Republic of China) also gets tarred with the corruption label. Why the di!erence? First, the indices are based upon elite A new poll shows a majority think that their leaders opinion. They survey a sample of businesspeople, academics and other professionals for are corrupt — it’s time for the left to ride this wave their perceptions, experiences or anecdotes. Second, they do not of popular disgust, argues ZOLTAN ZIGEDY distinguish between the minor graft of a poorly paid customs o"cial or a restaurant manager working in their country.” the questions and terms are express a need for at least Contrary to the media and The strong support for and the massive million or Twenty-four per cent — elastic. Many meanings can be major change — whether that the two-party onslaught on both citizen assemblies and billion-dollar transactions nearly one in four — of those attached to “major change” or change is the electoral system, “big” government sustained referendums demonstrates a between lobbyists, contractors polled were not at all satisfied, “completely reformed.” Even the structure of government, since the Reagan administra- hunger for a political system and the politically powerful. while 29 per cent are not too “democracy” and “political or the broad political-economic tion, 54 per cent of the people that is both more democratic Where one may be satisfied with US “democracy.” system” are slippery. system — counts as a powerful, trust the government to “do and more connected with the technically legal and the other If our understanding of While this is true, it is true profound expression of what is right for the country.” interests of the public than a minor illegality, they are democracy has something to of virtually every poll; we draw dissatisfaction. In fact, the percentage has what exists. weighed the same. do with the will of the people, conclusions based on our own, Moreover, the dissatisfaction risen over the last three years. Like earlier polls that Nor are the vast e!ects on then surely the Pew poll often biased, interpretation of is somewhat nuanced. While The Pew researchers took a expressed a decided retreat public morale and the political casts a long shadow over the the questions asked. respondents are cynical further step to determine what on the part of the public fate of a country weighed popular notion that the US is a Nonetheless, the fact that about politicians and their kind of changes people would from the cold war-imposed against the triviality of a bribe democracy, indeed, the fullest nearly two-thirds of the sample corruption, alienated from like to see become features of unthinking hostility to to get a better seat in a concert. flowering of democracy. elected o"cials, sceptical e!ective, democratic govern- socialism, this poll shows Apparently, the US public, in While this finding may be about US democracy and highly ance. that the image of the ignorant, its wisdom, is more indignant discomforting for some, it critical of the political system, One suggestion — citizen backward, conservative masses over millionaire politicians expresses the sense of most they have a growing trust in assemblies — was thought to disseminated by smug elites filling their campaign co!ers people. For those talking heads government. be an action important for the and media hacks is a myth. and their bank accounts than who fretted over losing “our” Democratic and Republican national government to take. Instead, the thinking of the with a 20 peso note slipped into democracy to the scurrilous Party think-tankers may be Forty-three per cent agreed majority is far more advanced, a passport. Donald Trump, they may befuddled by this distinction, very much, while another 36 more progressive, dare I say, From the same Pew poll, we actually be concerned about puzzled that the public is per cent agreed somewhat. more radical than that of its learn that 56 per cent of the US something that is already gone. inconsistent by trusting As the Pew pollsters noted, “enlightened” betters. respondents think that “elected The low popular opinion of “ the government, but not “Citizen assemblies, or forums And there is a lesson here o"cials care what ordinary how well democracy is working Those talking politicians. where citizens chosen at ran- for the US left. Shattered into people think” does not describe leads naturally to the question Yet the distinction makes all dom debate issues of national a thousand identity groups, their country well. of its sustainability. On this the sense in the world — the importance and make recom- collected around single-issue In other words, most question, the Pew researchers heads who government is there mendations about what should NGOs and clinging to the tail people in the US think that found that only 7 per cent of to help people be done, are overwhelmingly of the Democratic Party, most politicians do not care about those queried felt that the fretted over and without the popular.” of what calls itself the left is their concerns or priorities. political system, as it exists, corruption and Respondents were almost out of touch with the radical, Further, the results suggest doesn’t need change. losing ‘our’ opportunism of equally enthusiastic for even revolutionary potential that politicians only care Another 28 per cent the politicians, another democratic, but even simmering under the placid about what people other than maintain that it only needs can do so. more radical measure: “Allow surface of daily US life. ordinary folks think. minor change. Thus, a solid democracy to citizens and not members of Disillusioned by the decades Then, whose thoughts do third of the people are the national legislature, to of rightward drift by the two our politicians care about? relatively satisfied with the the scurrilous vote directly to decide what corporate parties and long since Clearly, the implication is that political system in the US. But becomes law for some key giving up any grand vision, the the “extraordinary” people who nearly two out of three are not. Donald Trump issues.” broad left foresees little and politicians listen to are the rich Forty-seven per cent — Forty-two per cent agreed settles for even less. and powerful, the same people nearly half — of those polled very much and 31 per cent A left that runs far ahead who corrupt politicians. believe that the political may actually be somewhat on such a meas- of mass sentiment is foolish, Consequently, most people system needs major change. ure. Again the US public but a left that misses the have little confidence in the And 18 per cent — nearly one concerned about discerns the di!erence opportunities a!orded by existing political system in in five — think that the current between government and an angry public, hungry for the US. Fewer than half (45 per system needs to be “completely something that the elected o"cials and change, is tragically irrelevant. cent) are somewhat (36 per cent) reformed.” prefers to keep govern- or very (9 per cent) “satisfied Some will say that these is already gone ment, while ditching their ■ Zoltan Zigedy blogs at www. with the way democracy is results are ambiguous because “representatives.” zzs-blg.blogspot.com. Morning Star morningstaronline.co.uk Wednesday morningstaronline 12 April 21 2021 culture @m_star_online

task, yet Rebekah Sith accom- Civil War in the winter of Review of fiction by Brazilian Julian Fuks and poetry by Argentinian plishes it with dexterity, care 1939 before moving to Mexico: and love and the collection “Though he’s been gone many Susana Thenon and British Latinx Marina Sanchez gains hugely from two illumi- years,/I still wish he’d had to nating essays from poet and cross only once,/to avoid the educator Maria Negroni as well grief of the emigrante./Instead PART of a loose trilogy, Julian the right-wing administration of Thenon’s work — “ova” is ing?/don’t even try to under- as from the translator herself. the load grew heavier,/until his Fuks’s second novel Occupation of Jair Bolsonaro. related to a woman’s eggs, in stand.” So begins Thenon’s A must-read for those inter- heart could bear no more.” (Charco Press, £9.99), follows It’s a powerful and impor- contrast with “obra completa” highly experimental master- ested in discovering one of the In Clouds of Doubt, Sanchez his highly acclaimed 2015 book tant addition to Fuks’s oeuvre. as in “complete works.” piece in a poetical voice that most intriguing and fascinat- uncovers uncomfortable truths Resistance. Susana Thenon’s Ova Com- This outstanding bilingual defies conventions and subverts ing poetical voices from the lat- about her mother: “Other Skilfully translated by Dan- pleta (Ugly Duckling Press, book touches on many impor- genres. It plays with mean- ter part of the 20th century in times, she’d say we came from iel Hahn, his latest quasi-auto- £12) was originally published tant themes of the time, still ing, gender roles and context, Argentina. Mixtecs./But she looked down biographical work is a medita- in 1987, only five years after the current today. They range as in her poem The Funds of Mexica Mix (Verve Poetry on ‘indios’ and ‘prietos’,/only tion on fatherhood, refugees bloody military dictatorship from feminism and gen- the Treasury: “struss/one of Press, £7.50) is Marina pointing out her skin colour/to and death. In it, the Brazilian that devastated Argentina, and der violence to the the great evils/that a!ect Sanchez’s second poetry pam- boast how she turned chocolate author intertwines three sepa- it is a seminal work of poetry Falklands War, womanity/before it phlet, with 25 poems divided in the sun” and she concludes rate accounts of refugees occu- that has inspired many genera- classical and was called stress/and into three sections: Family, the poem with: “My ancestors pying a derelict building in tions of poets in that country. popular cul- before that strass/ Icons and Earth. lie like bud bursts in these downtown Sao Paulo, the story Now available in English, ture, the “vul- or Strauss/it’s like Sanchez is most successful tales.” of the author’s psychoanalyst it is a complex, multilayered gar” register, a stumbling waltz/ when she explores her rich Though I wish Mexica Mix father dying from lung cancer and interlingual work from one the artificial- for the woman with- family ancestry — Spanish, had taken perhaps more risks, and his wife’s pregnancy. of the key Argentinean poets, ity of language out a shadow/there Native American and British — not only formally but also the- It takes some time for these pictured, of the 1960s genera- and the heritage is no drama/she’s as in the opening poem For My matically — especially when narrative strands to comple- tion which included Alejandra of patriarchy and drunk/drunk the Father Each Time He Crossed exploring the complex Mexi- ment each other and, when Pizarnik and Juana Bignozzi colonialism. pig/struss.” the Pyrenees. can indigenous experiences they do, the author creates a among others. “Why is that woman Tra nslat i ng In it, she tells the painful and traditions — it neverthe- landscape that is as devastat- The collection’s title brings s c r e a m i n g ?/ w h y such a complex story of her emigre Spanish less shows Sanchez’s great pas- ingly personal as it is highly to the surface the many is she scream- poetical work father as he crisscrosses the sion and dedication to her main political, shedding light on con- ambiguities of language and ing?/why is that is almost an border again and again to themes of displacement, bilin- temporary life in Brazil under meaning so evident in much woman scream- impossible Pic: Aymara Mont/cultura.gob.ar France during the Spanish gual identity and filial love.

THEATRE ONLINE I NO FUTURE BOOKS I HEART ON MY SLEEVE: COLLECTED WORKS 1980-2020 CAMDEN PEOPLE’S THEATRE, LONDON BY ATTILA THE STOCKBROKER I CHERRY RED BOOKS, £14.99

Complex meanderings through states of Works of wit and wisdom consciousness both irksome and illuminating from a free spirit of the left NO FUTURE is the brainchild But performance is about the police presence — the cops of Adam Welsh, who produces audience experience, which cheerily visit Adam with crime and performs as himself in here seems to be a lesser pri- number et al while never ever NEIL JENKIN recommends Attila the beyond is sharp. this livestreamed performance ority than the workings of suggesting that they will actu- Wit and levity from Camden People’s Theatre Adam’s brain or the infinite ally find the culprit. Stockbroker’s excellent new book are in constant in London. potential of digital artistry. The thoughts and artistry supply, from the The meaning of the work’s Clarity of purpose in the of Welsh and his director, Load of Bellocs startlingly miserabilist title narrative is intermittent, Tim Lee, are very much worth REGULAR Morning Star readers on paper, he can be pithy chapter’s child- reveals itself only gradually which leading to occasional 75 minutes of your time. But need no introduction to Attila and persuasive or eloquent like delight in as a brave journey into the bemusement, while the pace be prepared for lingering the Stockbroker. Performance and expansive — but never its menagerie of mind of one man and, through is sometimes so leisurely that moments and a kind of detach- poet, musician and staunch dull. Forty years on the road, creepy-crawlies him, into the workings of the viewers could be forgiven for ment from the main character socialist, his bimonthly diary organising his own tours, pub- to the mind-blowing fantasy human brain itself. ducking out and watching telly that never gets resolved and — often bulletins from his lishing and recording, have North Korea Mourns Com- At one point TS Eliot is instead. prevents any real dramatic shows in far-flung outposts only honed his skills, not rade Mickey Finn of T Rex: two quoted: “Time past and time And Welsh’s lead character engagement. and latterly, in the absence of diminished them. ticks on your Attila bingo card future … what might have is so blandly understated that A stimulating piece never- gigs, his ruminations on music, And this mighty 330-page right there. been and what has been … we never bond with him nor, theless. poetry and life in lockdown — anthology, featuring over 180 But if the laughs are long and point to one end, which is ultimately, care. has long been a favourite read works — mainly verse, a bit of hearty, for me and, I suspect, always present” and it’s a clue The burglary theme, while ■ For details of future perfor- of the people’s paper. prose, the best of his lyrics — for many readers of a certain to the play’s meaning. familiar territory, is enjoy- mances, visit cptheatre.co.uk. Already a bolshy young picked by the bard himself, age, it’s the stu! that’s closer While memories, imagined able for the real-life feel to MARY CONWAY bolshie, in the late 1970s the is a fitting monument to a to home that will endure. His futures, physical realities and advent of punk rock in gen- career that has taken him, so love for his wife Robina, his dream-like sequences may eral and the Clash in particu- far, from Wellingborough and relationships with his mum, occupy the brain’s space in lar drew young John Baine to Wigan to Albania and Australia dad and stepdad are all here any number of infinite and appreciate the DIY aspect of and back. — funny, poignant and truly arbitrary formations, it itself entertainment and its links Interspersed with illustra- “heart on my sleeve” stu!. is grounded in the present and with politics, first as organiser tions by Phill Jupitus, Womble, It’s great to have all this knows nothing at all of the and master of ceremonies for Dan Woods and Nick Staples, stu! in one compendium and actual future. Rock Against Racism gigs and, the words are divided into Attila’s most recent reflections, An acute conception and increasingly, as performer. themed chapters that give on Brexit, the lockdown and it certainly provides food for His new book Heart on My a good and full account of his scary lung condition, are thought — unsurprising as Sleeve was due to be launched the man. a welcome bonus for even the we still, of course, don’t really last September with a celebra- Of course, Attila’s fascina- most dedicated fan. fully understand the workings tory tour here and abroad to tions and obsessions are here, It’s a perfect companion of the brain. celebrate the 40th anniver- from Brighton & Hove Albion piece to Attila’s excellent auto- Artistically the project is sary of Baine’s first gig under to the eastern bloc and, while biography Arguments Yard: complex and impressive, with his Attila nom de guerre — a the world has changed over 35 Years of Ranting Verse and the camerawork of Ian Wil- reference to his barbarian ten- those 40 years, the outlook Thrash Mandola, which will get liam Galloway and the overall dencies during his thankfully for the ordinary folk remains a-five year update and reprint design of Verity Quinn provid- short stint in a “proper” job the same: it might be bleak, but later in the year. ing a genuine artwork, with as a clerk in the City — but never hopeless. animated collages of urban the pandemic knocked that Even constrained — or ■ Heart on My Sleeve is avail- life, photo albums that come for six. However, he’s far from perhaps freed — by metre, able from attilathestockbroker. alive, emerging terrors that silenced, switching perfor- Undaunted, Attila’s verse bandcamp.com, most bookstores, shudder into view and sudden mances to Facebook Live. commentary on the fall of real and virtual, and from Cherry

colour illuminating the murk. Pic: adamwelsh.co.uk Sharp of wit in person and the Berlin Wall and what lay Red Records. morningstaronline.co.uk Morning Star morningstaronline Wednesday @m_star_online culture April 21 2021 13

OOTED in the figura- tive tradition, Terence Coventry is a sculptor who draws most of the stimulus for his work fromR farming. His sculpture explores forms familiar to him such as birds, dogs, bulls and cows as well as the human figure and he takes inspiration from the land itself, where its contrasts and changing atmosphere are detect- able in the surfaces and textures of his works. Born in Birmingham in 1938, Coventry studied painting at the Royal College of Art but left after a year and instead took up farming in Cornwall. He sees parallels between farm- ing and sculpture: “It is elemental in the same way: one may not be dealing with clay but one is dealing with earth to a large extent. I get a tremendous amount of my inspi- ration for subject matter from my association — for the greater part of my working life — with farming,” he has said. Animal sculptures can very eas- ily become twee or blandly generic but Coventry’s work reveals a strong comprehension of form and move- ment based on exact observation. ONLINE EXHIBITION I TERENCE COVENTRY: VITAL IMAGE His animals are not only immedi- PANGOLIN GALLERY, LONDON ately recognisable but capture what bird watchers call the “jizz” of a par- ticular species, that essence of form, character and behaviour that tells you immediately what animal it is. Only someone relying on meticulous observation can capture this. Elemental His sculptures are full of energy and vivacity — he simplifies the forms and reduces them to more lineal structures and a series of inspiration cleverly intersecting planes often reminiscent of origami. He completed several series on Terence Coventry’s closeness to nature ravens, either in flight, squabbling over some food source or simply strikingly informs his sculptures of conversing. With their bifurcated primaries, wide gapes and hefty animals and birds, says JOHN GREEN mandibles, you can almost hear the birds honking and croaking and the sheen on the polished metal matches CAUGHT IN THE ACT: (Left to right from top) that of the birds’ real luminescent Swallow Form, 2008; Bird II, 2010; Man Releasing plumage. Bird II, 2014; Avian Form Maquette, 1999; Raven I, The contrasting planes he creates 2006; Bird I and Bird II, 2010 - all bronzes reflect light in fascinating ways that bring out the underlying skeletal forms and the scratched and scored metal surface conveys the look of plumage and skin. Coventry says he spends as much time on the textural surface as he does on the actual construction of the sculpture. Like any good artist, he helps you see rather than just look and he conveys his own sense of fun, joy and exhilaration. Even his working drawings have a sculptural quality about them and each finished piece becomes a per- sonal statement about a particular bird or animal.

■ Available to view online until August 14 at pangolinlondon.com Morning Star morningstaronline.co.uk Wednesday morningstaronline 14 April 21 2021 letters @m_star_online n RENEWABLE ENERGY n SLEAZE Jobs can be part of ‘Tories are acting within a green revolution IN HIS recent letter on about technology as politi- the Scottish Greens cal, as did the radical and rules — corrupt rules’ and the SNP (M Star, forward-thinking workers April 19), Will Podmore of Lucas Aerospace when that he “was just being polite” argues that the threat faced with unemploy- in his dealings with Cameron. of job losses makes the ment back in the 1970s. And Environment Secretary transition to renewable This means re opening the George Eustice defended Cam- energy an unsupportable debate about industrial eron’s lobbying on the grounds demand. conversion and economic that “he has not broken any Will does not set the democracy. of the rules. It is acceptable.” issue in the context of the The Lucas story serves We’re are also being told developing global eco- to show us how old yarns that Hancock has not broken logical crisis and does not about energy consump- the rules by owning shares in tell us how Scotland, and tion and compulsory job Topwood Ltd, a company which indeed the rest of us, will losses can be challenged to has a contract to provide doc- escape the consequences inspire a new generation ument-related services for the if the rate of energy con- of trade unionists. Its sup- NHS, even given the fact that sumption from our natu- porters argue that a just Hancock’s sister Emily Gilruth ral environments is not transition to a zero-car- is a founder and director of the fundamentally changed. bon, peaceful and socially company. This should concern useful economy is possible. He and his family are ben- us greatly, since harmful A movement from below efiting from privatisation emissions continue to rise should be built in our within the NHS. But a “gov- and challenge the goals of workplaces and communi- ernment spokesperson” has the Paris Agreement. ties together with allies defended Hancock’s relation- Of course we should be in the environmental and ship with Topwood, saying concerned about poten- peace movements. that “Mr Hancock has acted tial job losses. In their It is important to fight entirely properly in these cir- book The Lucas Plan: against job losses but we cumstances.” a New Trade Unionism also need to fight for the The Tories are defending in the Making, Hilary survival of our planet. blatant examples of corrup- Wainwright and Dave PHIL CLEGG A NUMBER of Cabinet minis- cellor Rishi Sunak and Health him that he had “pushed the tion and sleaze as being within Elliott argue that the Addingham ters are lining up to reassure Secretary Matt Hancock, on team” over proposed loans “the rules.” Which recalls the current crises of climate the public that no rules were behalf of Greensill Capital, to Greenshill [sic], Transport golden rule: whoever has the change, militarism and n More details on the Lucas broken when Tory ex-PM David his employer at the time. Secretary Grant Shapps insists gold, makes the rules. job destruction mean that Plan can be found at: http:// Cameron lobbied key govern- Although Sunak sent a that Sunak followed the rules SASHA SIMIC we have to start thinking lucasplan.org.uk ment figures, including Chan- text to Cameron reassuring “absolutely to the letter” and London N16

n SUPER LEAGUE Football has long been ruled by money I CAN understand why there is anger over the fact that six English football clubs want to join the new European Super League. But really, money has dominated the sport for years. The Premier League itself was a breakaway from the old Football League, designed to concentrate resources in the biggest clubs. Expanding the old European Cup to become a Champions League saw the end of the highly regarded European Cup Winners’ Cup, and helped to down- grade both our FA Cup and League Cup. STAR PLAYERS: Hajduk’s squad in 1955, wearing the red star badge Meanwhile, allowing dodgy n CONTINENTAL CLUE-COLLECTORS foreign billionaires to take n ON THE BALL over English sides has cre- ated an even bigger division Enough Montalbano? Give Spiral a spin between the haves and have- Sport is an arena of struggle — both on and o! the pitch HAVING followed the Mon- One criticism that could nots. THANKS for James White- world war, together with known for hooliganism, chant- talbano debate in the letters be made about it is that the So “the game we love,” as head’s great articles on footie Split’s other football team, ing “Ustashe” — the name of pages with interest recently, criminals are very often Arab quoted by the second in line (the last of which appeared RNK (Workers’ Football Club, the Croatian wartime fascists I wonder what Morning Star immigrants, but it does have to the throne, was already in M Star April 19). He’s quite founded 1912), it refused to — during matches. readers think of another Euro- a set of memorable characters badly damaged — with “fair- right — like culture in general, play and joined the Yugoslav Football can also be the focus pean police crime series that who interact in an engaging ness” a quality long since sport is an arena of struggle, Partisans. Hajduk players wore for internationalist solidarity. BBC4 have shown on Saturday manner. gone. not just on the pitch. a red star on their shirts right The Glasgow Celtic-supporting nights? I’m thinking of Spiral KEITH WHITE TIM MICKLEBURGH Elements of today’s rivalry up until the collapse of Yugo- rock group The Wakes are a (Engrenages, in French). Cheltenham Grimsby between FC Barcelona and Real slavia. great example of anti-fascism Madrid date back to the Span- With the rise in national- in music, with strong links [email protected] ish civil war. ism, however, their support- to Hamburg’s St Pauli. Have a HAVE YOUR SAY Hajduk is one of Europe’s ers’ a!liations have become search for them on YouTube! Write (up to 300 words) to... 52 Beachy Rd, London E3 2NS oldest football clubs, founded more complex. Hajduk’s sup- MARIJA ANTERIC in 1911. During the second porters (Torcida Split) are today London N7 morningstaronline.co.uk Morning Star morningstaronline Wednesday @m_star_online sport April 21 2021 15

British Basketball with Teddy Okereafor Bristol Flyers and Great Britain player TEDDY OKEREAFOR brings you all the latest news and results from the British Basketball League S THE regular sea- recent loss the other week. son draws to an But the London side came back end, I wanted to with a sharp performance in mark my last col- the second half, defeating the umn of the season away team with the end result byA getting a few fan favourites being 85-74. Who will take home to contribute towards my last There was a closely con- feature. tended game between the New- But first I bring you the all castle Eagles and the Glasgow the latest results from the last Rocks, but the Eagles flew away week of games. with the win in the end, final Wednesday saw Cheshire score 85-83. Phoenix travel down to the cap- The She"eld Sharks came the BBL MVP? ital to face the London Lions, up with the goods and beat the “I have loved being a part of Paternostro (Leicester Riders) resulting in a loss — Lions tak- Worcester Wolves 91-88. the Buzz 16 team. I’ve learned with an honourable mention ing the home win with a score After their loss against the a lot more about the produc- to PJ. of 87-61. Lions, Cheshire Phoenix were tion side of things while also “One to watch? Rickey McGill The Surrey Scorchers faced looking to bounce back but it being able to stay a part of the of the Plymouth Raiders. o! against the Plymouth Raid- didn’t quite go as expected as basketball family. “[My] first season of present- ers with the Raiders taking the they picked up another loss “Having our beautiful game ing has been a blast! Great team win, beating Scorchers 106-82. against Plymouth Raiders — broadcast on mainstream TV to work with and such a wide Friday night live action 69-85. and our players, coaches and open play-o!s coming up. Now kicked o! on Sky Sports with As the regular season comes o"cials getting the recognition we just need the fans back.” league leaders Leicester Rid- to a head, I spoke to a few they deserve has truly been a Ashley Hamilton (Plymouth ers travelling down to face from the sport to share their joy to be a part of. All we need Raiders player): “Playing with- the Newcastle Eagles. Riders thoughts on who they think now is for our wonderful fans out fans has been weird and a left empty-handed with a huge should be awarded coach of to be back in the arenas.” big adjustment. At the begin- performance by the Eagles, the year, Most Valuable Player Matthew Bryan-Amaning ning of the season, the newness winning 90-80. (MVP), one to watch and their (Cheshire Phoenix): “For me of it was a shock. It’s more dif- Lions seem to be back on a overall general thoughts on the MVP has got to be either Geno ficult on days when the body winning streak with another league, which as we know has or Liggins. I think the level has is hurting and mind is tired. triumph at home, this time been a strange but competitive been good and more consistent “The increase in exposure beating Surrey Scorchers 92-84. one. throughout the league which has been great. I hope we con- There was also a tight con- Kieron Achara MBE (Former makes things more competi- tinue in this direction. There test between Bristol Flyers and Glasgow Rocks, Scotland and tive. Anyone can beat anyone, are so many amazing players in the She"eld Sharks. However, Great Britain player): “My MVP so it’s about who executes bet- this league, they deserve to be the Flyers just couldn’t quite of the season is between Geno ter. highlighted. Even articles such GREAT SEASON: Matthew Bryan-Amaning get the win. Final score, Flyers Crandall and DeAndre Liggins. “Next season I think the as this one are great as they 91-96 Sharks. Leaning towards Geno if they franchises need to look better continue to grow the game and “Me personally I’d say it’s a league even though having Over in Glasgow the Man- win the league. into their infrastructure. They have been missing in the past. toss up between Williams or some injuries to key players chester Giants secured the “Coach of the year? Rob need to have full sta! where “I think myself or Ricky Liggins but with Leicester at throughout the season. So it’s bag with a win over the Rocks Paternostro. Leicester have possible so things can run more McGill are the MVPs. No 1, I think Crandall may just hard to argue against that. — 101-83. been the most consistent team like a business and it becomes “Coach of the year is Paul edge them out. “One to watch I would say Sunday saw The Surrey and have a defensive mindset more professional.” James.” “Gotta go with Rob Paternos- is Justin Gordon of Newcastle. Scorchers pick up a win after (second in league for points “Coach of the year? Rob Justin Robinson (2X MVP and tro of Leicester [for coach of the Extremely versatile, can score, their loss to the Lions on Fri- conceded per game). Paternostro.” London Lions player): “It will be year]. He’s got a lot of new guys rebound and defend, he’s also day, bouncing back to beat the “My one to watch has to be Nat Coombs (Presenter for Buzz a hard decision for the players this year but he’s done a great sort of the motor that gets them Giants 77-73. Denzel Ubiaro. He has shown 16): but I think for the players it job of getting those guys to play going with all his intangibles. The Bristol Flyers started moments of brilliance this year “MVP? Geno Crandall (Leices- will come down to three guys. the Leicester way. I’d say he’s one to look out for. positively against second in the and I think he still has so much ter Riders) Dirk Williams, DeAndre Lig- “Looks like they are going Definitely has a bright future league, the Lions, after their more to show. “Coach of the season? Rob gins or Geno Crandall. to lock up the No 1 spot in the ahead of him.”

n MEN’S RUGBY UNION RFU backs Jones after probe by Our Sports Desk factors that contributed to it.” the team’s Saracens spine fol- A review panel consisting lowing their relegation from of board members, execu- the Premiership, but at the EDDIE JONES will remain as tives and independent experts same time a “wider group were head coach after the Rugby used feedback from players fatigued as a result of being the Football Union’s (RFU) inquest and coaches to help pinpoint only country to have back-to- into England’s worst-ever Six a number of specific reasons back seasons.” Nations performance gave explaining a dismal tourna- A handful of absentees full backing to the embattled ment that was bookended by also contributed to England’s Australian. heavy defeats to Scotland and woes, a reference to the inju- Jones presided over a fifth- Ireland. ries sustained by Manu Tui- place finish for the second The absence of Australian lagi, Sam Underhill and Joe time in his five-and-a-half-year back-room sta! Jason Ryles and Launchbury. Twickenham reign, plunging Neil Craig for pandemic-related Completing the list of rea- his future into doubt and trig- travel reasons is described as sons for collapsing to the first gering a debrief into why the a “significant loss” that had “reverse Triple Crown” of losses World Cup runners-up had a wider impact, as was Matt to Scotland, Wales and Ireland underperformed in such alarm- Proudfoot’s pre-Six Nations since 1976 are breakdown in ing fashion. unavailability after catching discipline, the stringent Covid A statement released by the coronavirus and the domino protocols in place in camp that RFU confirmed “full support” e!ect on Jones being forced to had an impact on cohesion and for Jones, while “recognising a self-isolate. the fixed squad number of 28 sub-optimal campaign and the Also cited is the inactivity of players. Wednesday SPORT April 21 2021

■ MEN’S FOOTBALL TONIGHT’S FOOTBALL Premier League Tottenham Southampton, 6pm Aston Villa Man City, 8.15pm Championship Millwall Bournemouth, 6pm Rotherham Middlesbrough, 6pm FOOTBALL BELONGS Stoke City Coventry, 7pm Wycombe Bristol City, 7pm Birmingham Notts Forest, 7.45pm Huddersfield Barnsley, 7.45pm Luton Town Reading, 7.45pm WSL TO THE SUPPORTERS Man City Chelsea, 6pm Scottish Premiership Scottish Labour calls for fan ownership to defeat ESL proposal Hamilton Motherwell, 6pm Hibernian Livingston, 6pm by Kadeem Simmonds national team by supporting “In Scotland we were success- St. Johnstone Rangers, 7pm fan ownership of clubs and ful in ensuring that fan owner- Aberdeen Celtic, 7.45pm reform of the game at all levels ship has been pushed up the Kilmarnock Dundee Utd, 7.45pm SCOTTISH Labour are backing in Scotland. agenda. It is a model that has Ross County St Mirren, 7.45pm fan ownership in Scotland as “Clubs are at the heart of worked around the world, and well as reforming football as communities across Scotland, something that is badly needed the continued fight against the and many have been hit hard to stop the sort of moves we are SPORT ON TV European Super League ramps by the pandemic. That’s why seeing now. up. Labour is committed to democ- “Football clubs are commu- ■ BASEBALL: MLB, Colorado Rockies The heavily scrutinised ESL ratising and energising the nity assets and should be in the v Houston Astros – BT Sport/ESPN would see 12 clubs “compete” game in Scotland. hands of those who care most 8pm, New York Yankees v Atlanta in a league with no relegation. “Labour is back on the pitch, about them. With a greater use A further three clubs will form but too many football fans feel of fan ownership, and more fan Braves – BT Sport/ESPN 11.30pm. the core group while five addi- stuck on the sidelines. representation, we can ensure ■ BASKETBALL: NBA, Portland tional clubs would then be “That’s why Labour is dedi- that communities are at the Trail Blazers v Denver Nuggets – Sky invited on an annual basis to cated to supporting the future heart of our teams and our Sports Main Event 3am (Thu). participate in a 20-team com- of the game in Scotland and national sport.” ■ CRICKET: Indian Premier League, petition. putting fans in control, from Prime Minister Boris John- Punjab Kings v Sunrisers Hyderabad Six English Premier League the dugout to the directors’ box son told the football authorities – Sky Sports Cricket 10.50am & Sky teams have signed up to take from grassroots to the govern- that no action by the govern- part, Manchester United, Man- ance of the game.” ment is o! the table in seeking Sports Main Event 11am, Kolkata chester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Scottish Labour’s pledge also to stop the Super League, the Knight Riders v Chennai Super Kings Arsenal and Tottenham. has backing from the Scottish same day the other 14 Premier – Sky Sports Cricket & Sky Sports But with English supporters Green Party, who echoed the League clubs “unanimously and Main Event 2.50pm. protesting against the move, call for fan ownership of Scot- vigorously rejected the plans ■ CYCLING: Tour of the Alps, stage Scottish MPs are using the tish teams, where various clubs for the competition.” three – Eurosport 2 12pm; Fleche proposed breakaway as the per- are now owned by supporters, In a statement seen by the must be no more appeasement yesterday’s announcement of Wallone, women’s race – Eurosport fect opportunity to once again including Motherwell FC, Star, Football Supporters Asso- of these vultures. the much-anticipated fan-led 2 10am, men’s race – Eurosport 2 raise the prospect of fan-owned Clydebank and Stirling Albion. ciation chief executive Kevin “Today the Football Support- review into football govern- clubs. Scottish Greens spokesper- Miles warned the ESL that “sup- ers’ Association (FSA) and some ance, confirming that it would 1.30pm. Ahead of Labour’s manifesto son on sports Alison Johnstone porters will do everything in of our member organisations have a far-reaching remit. ■ DARTS: Premier League, night eight launch tomorrow, shadow sec- said: “The sums of money our power” to stop the competi- met with the Prime Minister “The FSA looks forward to – Sky Sports Action 7pm. retary of state for Scotland Ian involved in the European tion from being anything more Boris Johnson and secretary of working with the government ■ FOOTBALL: Premier League, Tot- Murray said that “Labour is Super League are absolutely than a awful PR pipe-dream. state Oliver Dowden to make and all political parties in West- tenham v Southampton – Sky Sports committed to democratising eye-watering. “The greedy owners of some clear the existential crisis minster. As well as meeting the Main Event and Sky Sports Premier and energising the game in “Its formation shows what of our most historic football facing football and the over- PM we have also met today with League 5.30pm, Aston Villa v Man- Scotland.” happens when profits and clubs have done nothing but whelming support from fans the all-party parliamentary “Football belongs to the fans greed are allowed to dominate unite fans throughout the for political action. group for football supporters chester City – Sky Sports Main Event — not to a cartel of billionaires football. As the famous quote pyramid, players, pundits, “The PM’s response was very and, separately, Keir Starmer and Sky Sports Premier League 8pm; at the top,” said Mr Murray. says, football is nothing with- clubs, politicians and the positive as he committed to leg- and the Labour Party. Women’s Super League, Manchester “Scottish Labour is deter- out the fans, and it is no won- government, in opposition to islative action, if necessary, to “Supporters will do every- City v Chelsea – BT Sport 1 5.30pm; mined to reinvigorate the game der that so many are opposed their plans to hoard power support the football authorities. thing in our power to stop the Bundesliga, Hertha Berlin v Freiburg in Scotland from grassroots to to this move. and wealth,” said Miles. “There “In addition he referred to European Super League.” – BT Sport 2 5.30pm, Borussia Dort- mund v Union Berlin – BT Sport 2 7.30pm. ■ WOMEN’S FOOTBALL ■ SNOOKER: World Championship, day five – BBC Two England and PGMOL to oversee women’s leagues referees Eurosport 1 10am. by Our Sports Desk to the league and the standard provided the right environment TODAY’S TIPS of o"ciating as well as the level to move with it. of competition. “We have a highly dedicated Farringdon’s Doubles REFEREES from the top two FA director of the women’s and passionate pool of o"cials, WAND tiers of women’s football will professional game Kelly Sim- and the time is now right that Dundalk 7:50 (nap) work within the Professional mons believes the move will their development opportuni- VIVAS Game Match O"cials (PGMOL) allow the standard of referee- ties align with that of the men’s Ludlow 2:40 framework from next season. ing to track the progress made professional game.” The FA announced the move as a whole in recent times. O"cials underneath the Houseman’s Choice yesterday morning as it aims “This is a major step for our Women’s Championship will THREEUNDERTHRUFIVE to enhance the support and match o"cials in their develop- continue to remain under the Perth 2:30 development of o"ciating in ment,” she said. FA umbrella. the Women’s Super League ment of the Barclays FA Wom- game,” the statement read. “I’m confident that PGMOL (WSL) as well as the Women’s en’s Super League’s new domes- “The move is designed to have the right infrastructure Published by Peoples Press MSTAR 2021-04-21 WED 1.2 Championship. tic media rights partnership further professionalise the to provide them with the nec- Printing Society Ltd (12750R), Match o"cials will not be with Sky Sports and the BBC, environment for match o"- essary support to ensure they William Rust House, 52 Beachy 16 Road, Bow, London E3 2NS. professional but their develop- the FA Women’s Super League cials, with an increased level continue to develop, and deliver Telephone: (020) 8510-0815. ment will be aided by access and FA Women’s Championship of bespoke support tailored to at the highest standard within Email: enquiries@peoples-press. to the same facilities a!orded Board agreed a new three-year the professional game.” the professional game. com. Printed by trade union to PGMOL o"cials across the investment programme with It is believed that the new “The women’s game has labour at Reach. Premier League and English the PGMOL, to enhance the sup- television deal will be worth £7 moved on significantly over Football League. port and development of o"ciat- million to £8m a season to the the last few years and we must “Following the announce- ing in the professional women’s WSL, bringing extra exposure ensure that our referees are Wednesday April 21 2021 9770307175336