Another Acquittal For Morag

Glenrothes SSP Press Release 4th October 2001
It was another great day for justice today as Morag Balfour, Chair of Glenrothes SSP was acquitted on a charge of breach of the peace. It was alleged that on 3rd May 2000, Morag had cut a large hole in the North Gate at Faslane along with Janet Fenton another Trident Ploughshares campaigner.

Morag's solicitor Andrew Brophy argued that the evidence from the four police witnesses (only two of whom recognised Morag) pointed to an act of malicious mischief, not breach of the peace. Mr Brophy's submission that the charge was incompetent, was found to be true by Justice of the Peace Mr Nicholson, and both Morag and Janet were acquitted.

The verdict was greeted with enthusiastic applause from supporters in court. Morag has been arrested sixteen times in the course of her anti-nuclear work. To date she has been convicted only once which resulted in an admonition from the Sheriff at Dumbarton on the grounds of "her goodness and decency", though she has two cases outstanding - one of which relates to an incident at the Scottish Parliament on April 5th.

Morag said afterwards:
"I am pleased with this verdict. Direct action aimed at non-violently ridding the world of nuclear weapons should not be treated as a crime. It is action aimed at upholding the peace."