Trident Hearing opens

The Lord Advocate's Reference into the Trident three case opened at the High Court of Justiciary in Edinburgh on Monday 9th October in front of three judges.

It had been expected that time would be taken with moves to decide whether the requirements of the European Convention on Human Rights applied to this hearing and if so if they had been complied with. However the presiding judge Lord Prosser postponed discussion of these issues and decided to go ahead with hearing the main submissions.

For the crown Simon Di Rollo argued that evidence as to the content of international law should not have been led during the trial. He also said that Britain had not at any time made a threat to use its nuclear weapons. He said that the course adopted by the Greenock court during the trial of the three women was incompetent.

As the case proceeds these arguments will be challenged. Ellen Moxley and Ulla Roder are represented by legal teams. Angie Zelter is representing herself.

Supporters of the three women will be attending the court, behind St Giles Cathedral, throughout the week as the case continues.