Trident: an ever present threat
Manchester trial - expert witnesses

On 15 September at Manchester Crown Court, three witnesses gave evidence on behalf of the defence: Prof Paul Rodgers, Peace Studies Department, Bradford University Angie Zelter, founder, Trident Ploughshares 2000 Rebecca Johnson, Executive Director, defence-analysis think-tank, the Acronym Institute

Angie Zelter gave evidence that the defendants, as part of the TP2000 organisation, had exhausted every available conventional remedy, before taking direct action, to seek to ensure that the British government took notice of the 1996 opinion of the International Court of Justice regarding the illegality of the threat or use of nuclear weapons.

Much of today's evidence related to the immediacy of the threat of nuclear weapons: Paul Rodgers explained how the threat posed by the Trident fleet of nuclear submarines is fundamental to Britain's current nuclear posture, both within NATO and independent of it. Rebecca Johnson amplified the immediacy of the nuclear threat by describing the context of heightened international tension in the Middle East following Operation Desert Fox - immediately before the women carried out their disarmament action.

Prosecution barrister, Mr Watson, appeared particularly ineffectual when he attempted to undermine the credibility of expert witness Rebecca Johnson, by alleging that she could not remember the universities from which she had gained her numerous qualifications. Ms Johnson, who regularly provides opinions for the Foreign Office and United Nations is considered one of a very small group of experts in the world in relation to issues of nuclear non-proliferation.

The jury was dismissed at 3pm in order for the judge to take information from both the defence and prosecution on points of law. The case will resume on Monday at 10am when Justice Humphries will hear further submissions from the legal teams. The defence case should close on Monday, with a verdict on Monday afternoon or, more likely, Tuesday.

ARRANGEMENTS FOR DAY OF VERDICT

In the event of a not guilty verdict and acquittal: This would be as significant as the acquittal of the Hawks women at Liverpool Crown Court in 1996 and of the acquittal of the three women Greenock Sheriff Court in October 1999 and would mean that the court had accepted the relevance of international law in respect of Britain's possession of nuclear weapons.

A photo-call will be held on the steps of Manchester Crown Court immediately after the court is dismissed, followed by a press conference at the Friends Meeting House, Mount Street, Manchester - this will take place two hours after the court is dismissed. Both defendants and their support team will be available for questions. In the event of a guilty verdict: A press conference will be held at the Friends Meeting House, Mount Street, Manchester - this will take place two hours after the court is dismissed.