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Ricky Tomlinson

Ricky Tomlinson

Ricky Tomlinson is an actor, comedian and activist, famous for roles including Jim Royle in The Royle Family and Bobby Grant in Brookside. Politically radical, in 1973 he was working as a plasterer, when he was sentenced to two years in prison for conspiracy, following his refusal to testify against fellow strikers involved in flying pickets in a building workers’ dispute in Shrewsbury.

  • Ricky Tomlinson Ricky Tomlinson

    National security, my arse! A new blow to justice for the Shrewsbury 24

    Des Warren, Ricky Tomlinson and supporters

    The fight for redress for the 24 pickets who were prosecuted five months after the first national building workers strike in 1972 has hit a ridiculous new setback.

    I was one of those building workers, and was given a two year prison sentence,for my part in the dispute. I, and the others who were prosecuted, believe that government files about our case are still being held secret as they’ll show there was senior government interference involved in getting charges against us that should never have been brought.

    In the latest development, the Justice Secretary, Chris Grayling, has told the campaign that we’re going to have to wait longer to see the crucial evidence that we need – A lot longer. Apparently his predecessor Kenneth Clark gave approval back in December for the records of the cases against us to stay secret, under the exemptions in section 23 of the Freedom of Information Act.

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    Posted on February 14th, 2013 by Ricky Tomlinson filed under: Union campaigns

  • Ricky Tomlinson Ricky Tomlinson

    The Shrewsbury 24: Overturning a miscarriage of justice, 40 years on

    Ricky Tomlinson and supporters handing in the application to the Criminal Cases Review Commission in Birmingham 3rd April 2012.

    We all like anniversaries and this year there has been a lot said about events 40 years ago. There was the miners’ strike that led to power cuts and the “Battle of Saltley Gate”. The dock workers were fighting for jobs and 5 shop stewards were sent to Pentonville Prison in July 1972 for contempt of court. The TUC called a national strike and an obscure fellow called the Official Solicitor intervened and persuaded the court to release them.

    These were all important memories for me but 1972 stands out as the year that myself and fellow building workers stood up against the mighty building trade employers to fight for better pay and safer working conditions.

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    Posted on August 1st, 2012 by Ricky Tomlinson filed under: Union campaigns