Warrant issued to arrest Tommy Sheridan MSP

A Justice of the Peace at Argyle and Bute District Court has issued a warrant for the arrest of MSP Tommy Sheridan after he refused to attend a hearing in Helensburgh.

Tommy was arrested at the "Crimebusters" blockade of Faslane naval base on 14th February this year and charged with breach of the peace. He has already given a not guilty plea and was due to go to trial on 4th October. Describing the Argyle and Bute Court as "ludicrous" he refused to attend today's Intermediate Diet on the grounds that the court had no right to try him for upholding the law. He indicated his willingness to risk imprisonment by continuing to join in the work of confronting the illegality of the Trident system.

Principal Depute Procurator Fiscal Lorna Revie sought a warrant for his arrest and this was granted by JP John McPhail

A Trident Ploughshares spokesperson said:

"It is a great encouragement to us that a Member of the Scottish Parliament is so determined to confront Trident. His decision not to appear today is perfectly valid. Over and over again the local court has shown itself incapable of dealing with the legal issues involved. It has shown consistent political bias in favour of the UK government and its illegal nuclear weapons policy."