Mike Buchanan’s retrial for his MGM protest – Isleworth Crown Court, 3 March

/ Mike Buchanan

Early in January I attended Isleworth Crown Court for my retrial on the charge of obstructing the traffic (for a total 49 seconds, across two points in time) during the second of two anti-MGM protests (the one in Parliament Square) last June. A video (14:52) of the protests is here.

In January the barrister appointed by the CPS admitted to the court he wasn’t adequately prepared for the trial, and asked for – and was granted – an adjournment. My thanks to E for filming and editing a video (1:27) of some stalwart supporters and myself after that.

Following a request by the judge on that day, there has been an exchange between the CPS and ourselves of documents with legal positions, arguments, and counter-arguments, and copies sent to the court. We believe the Crown’s position to be very weak, and I expect one of two outcomes on 3 March:

  • the Crown decides not to continue with the prosecution; or
  • the trial takes place, and I’ll be found ‘Not Guilty’ (there won’t be a jury).

If we’re successful, it could be a landmark victory in the struggle to end MGM in the UK, and perhaps beyond. So I hope you’ll be able to join us on the day. The court address is 34-36 Ridgeway Road, Isleworth, TW7 5NP. The trial will be in Court 5, and start at 10:00.

If we’re unsuccessful, we shall appeal again.

My warm thanks to Ian, a retired solicitor, for his invaluable help in preparing my defence.

A collection of audio and video files relating to MGM can be found on our Vimeo channel – here. All the files are also on our YouTube channel – here.

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7 thoughts on “Mike Buchanan’s retrial for his MGM protest – Isleworth Crown Court, 3 March”

  1. That moment when a man protesting the law breaking the law by not enforcing the law, is arrested and charged by the law for exposing the law’s lawbreaking.

    Are we living in a Harry Enfield show?

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    • Thanks Lawrence. It’s all a little surreal, I have to say, and not without its comical moments. If the CPS had any common sense, rather than being driven by anti-male bias, it wouldn’t have brought the prosecution, given the exposure the prosecution – for obstructions totalling 49 seconds! – is giving to the illegality of MGM (which the CPS is not disputing).

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      • Well charges against me were dropped for online speech after I pleaded not guilty. I never found out why. You’ve definitely done the right thing by pleading not guilty. I have a feeling they’ll drop this soon.

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  2. all the best Mike for the day.
    I often wonder if the CPS waste so much time and resources on cases like this in order to hit some “target” like they do for rape convictions

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  3. There’s an awful of very big sledgehammer to crack a nearly non-existent nut about this. A lot of public money spend prosecuting what was effectively a non-offence, committed millions of time a day without police taking any action. Perhaps the constabulary had been briefed? Clearly, someone’s out to make an example of you Mike.

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