Support Tony Leamon, pacifist, Celtic & Cornish activist !

by ThomasGraham | May 4, 2008 at 05:45 am | 846 views | 5 comments

by ThomasGraham

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I have received the following message from Cornwall.

To update yourself on the story thus far, please go to:

http://www.nowpublic.com/culture/police-harrassment-cornwall-1984-meets-21st-century

On the day that Tony Leamon answers his bail at Camborne Police Station, TUESDAY 13th MAY, 2008, doubtless supporters will be gathering outside for a peaceful and dignified protest.

Tony's friends and supporters from all round the world are invited to telephone the Devon & Cornwall Police central switchboard at 9AM UK time on the day - TUESDAY 13th MAY, 2008 and to ask to be put through to the Custody Centre at CAMBORNE Police Station in CORNWALL and to simply make a passive and dignified request along the following lines:

"I am a supporter of Mr Tony Leamon and I am enquiring about his welfare and wellbeing."

The telephone number is: 08452 777444

The police there have been known to be aggressive and unsupportive hence it is important to remain dignified. It is also worth bearing in mind that Devon & Cornwall Police have a very high record of complaints and these do not occur without some justification.

I have been informed that Tony is a very unwell man, has even attempted suicide but that following an inhumane period of investigation and bail extending for 8 months, he is medicated being counselled and facing the situation with great bravery.

A blog site has been established at: cornwall-police-watch.blogspot.com/

Addition: already Celtic friends and supporters from as far away as Eire, New Mexico, USA and Australia are contacting their own politicians and offering to barrage Devon & Cornwall Police with passive phone calls when Tony Leamon answers his bail. Tony passes his best wishes and thanks to his friends and supporters about the globe.

I have just been notified of a police e-mail address:

Police.Enquiries@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk

Why not send a message of support for Tony Leamon direct?

or, if you wish to remain anonymous, here:

https://secure.crimestoppers-uk.org/ams.form.anonymous.asp

making it clear that you refer to TONY LEAMON of FALMOUTH, CORNWALL and that the message relates to his arrest on suspicion of terrorism matters and that he next answers bail at 9AM British Summer Time Tuesday 13th May, 2008 at CAMBORNE POLICE STATION, CORNWALL.

In a recent communication from the LEAMON family, it has been stated that Tony is hopeful that the eight months of hell inflicted upon him at the hands of the police will soon be at an end. He does not blame local police officers but their superiors and ask for dignified messages of support only. He is physically unwell and very medicated but asks now to be released from bail and all its conditions or charged. He is said to be facing his future bravely in the sure knowledge of International support received this far and thanks everyone for this and asks for it to continue.

Late update from Cornwall on this incredible and ongoing example of police harassment:

This is a personal message from Tony Leamon:

MY BAIL DATE HAS BEEN MOVED TO 2ND JULY 2008

I had 2 police officers knocking on my door this morning- 8am BST. It seem my bail has been moved to 2nd of July, 2008. This will make it 10 months without charge.

Could everyone put off their phone calls etc until then Please.

No explanation was given for the change, but I presume they are still trying to find something to charge me with. I am contacting my solicitor later today, and will keep you all informed.

Advice would be welcome. Tony

Meanwhile, messages of support from around the world are flooding into Cornwall and to its police forceand it is difficult to keep up with the numbers of them. A few below:

I understand that Tony Leamon is set to appear at a bail hearing on Tues. May 13. As a supporter of Mr. Leamon, I am extremely concerned by the treatment which he has been subjected to. It appears to me that being of the Celtic race condemns one to second class citizenship in the U.K.
(details witheld)

This email is coming to you from Albuquerque, NM, USA.
I am a friend and supporter of Cornish Nationalist Tony Leamon.
It is my understanding that Mr. Leamon will be answering his bail at the Camborne police facility on Tuesday May 13.
I respectfully asked that Mr. Leamon receive fair and humane treatment during his bail hearing.
It is my understanding that Mr. Leamon has not been charged with any crimes, this should clearly be taken into consideration with regards to the treatment he receives.
Mr. Leamon has several supporters in this area of our country, we will anxiously await the results of his bail hearing.
Regards,
(details witheld)

I am writing to you the police of Cornwall to say how despicable your actions against this poor man are. He has my full support and that of my countrymen. You must stop this harassment of Celtic people now !
(details witheld)

Three cheers for Tony. When Michael Collins was a small boy in school, he questioned why he had to say 'I am a happy English child' every morning. I think that Tony Leamon is cut from the same cloth.

(details witheld)

I have copies of dozens more, this story is becoming incredible with people sending support from the USA, Canada, Eire, the Isle of Man, Wales, Scotland, England, Kernow, Australia, Malaysia and elsewhere ! Leading activists from the Gay Community also recognise that Mr Leamon's case much resembles their's at the hands of the Police in Cornwall.

In Albequerque, New Mexico, a message sent to Devon & Cornwall Police informs them that the Celtic Community there are remaining on a vigil pending Tony Leamon being released from inhumane bail by the police.

UPDATE RECEIVED FROM THE TEAM OF SUPPORTERS HELPING MR LEAMON

The Criminal Procedures and Investigation Act (CPIA) which obliges the police and their Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to disclose to the defence solicitor every piece of material not used in the actual case. That means every one of your letters of support, every phone call which should be logged and passed on and so on. To breach this legislation will undermine the Prosecution case - so I hope you all see where I am coming from ! Keep those messages going. I have sent one in asking the police to be aware that the St George's Flag is very unpopular in Kernow and that much hate may follow from many people who could possibly have phoned the campsite where it was being flown.

The police officer investigating Tony is as follows: Detective 196 HAMPSON of BODMIN CID

so why not make all mail addresses to him and ask that it is copied to the CPS and to Tony's lawyer Ms. G. Kinley (good Celtic name !) of Vivian Thomas & Jervis Solicitors, PO Box 23, Falmouth, Kernow TR11 3UF.

The police/Cps must reveal every piece of information acquired along the way of these 10 months. Let's make them earn their money !

Police E-mail: Police.Enquiries@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk marked 'for attention of Detective 196 HAMPSON, BODMIN CID

or anonymously to:

https://secure.crimestoppers-uk.org/ams.form.anonymous.asp marked 'for attention of detective 196 HAMPSON BODMIN CID

or to the people who 'pay' the police, the Police Authority (just like a board of Governers if you like)

PolAuth@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk and again mark for attention of 196 HAMPSON & Cornwall CPS

Also ask that Tony's Lawyer be made aware of your message.

Update here: http://www.nowpublic.com/world/please-take-extra-step-help-celtic-cornish-campaigner-tony-leamon

or search 'Leamon' for related stories

I do appreciate that this type of presentation is ragged but this is very much an evolving story with its own dynamic. Perhaps when this terrible human interest story is over, I will draw breath to consolidate it to more recognized 'W' formula.

The photograph shows Tony celebrating St David's Day in Wales with his flag of St Piran, one of the patron Saints of Celtic Cornwall, on Cornwall's highest point, at South Crofty Tin Mine and being shadowed by police at a protest in Truro

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Jarrett Martineau

at 11:01 on May 6th, 2008

needs improvement:

ThomasGraham, I think your story has potential but needs some improvement. I've got a few suggestions, and if you give them a try, I'd be happy to remove this flag.

I wasnt sure what was newsworthy in this story. News should always be about posting current stuff - new things you've discovered.

Please review What Makes News News. It can really help if you follow the old "W5" news formula -- making sure you have answered the questions: Who? What? Where? When? And Why? (You might want to check out our J-Tips for more help.)

bryn.myrddin.dimilioc

at 15:28 on May 19th, 2008

A great story about a great man. A proud man, a Celt and a Cornish patriot. Thanks for bringing this to the world's attention. I pledge my support as a result of reading this. I shall see that news of this reaches the magazines I write for.

CelticNews

at 05:02 on May 10th, 2008

good stuff:

ThomasGraham, I like this story. It's good stuff.

TheCornishman

at 05:03 on May 12th, 2008

good stuff:

ThomasGraham, I like this story. It's good stuff.

This story reads like an abuse of human rights case - okay it doesn't run well but that it because it is so dynamic and changing on a daily basis. This poor guy Leamon needs a good lawyer!