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Wed Mar 28, 2007
Important info on Steve's situation below – please read it carefully.
I only hope it helps and I don't want to have to repeat it.
--- In [email protected], "bobathenat" wrote:
>
> As I understand it, he was released on 5 March, naked as usual, was
> asked to dress, refused, and was then bundled into the back of the
> waiting police van in the prison car park.
I take it that's a supposition based on your prior knowledge of
Steve's release date, and the now routine approach of Scottish police
to his release naked from prison. Or have you had news since we spoke
last Sunday?
It would appear the media no longer sees this as newsworthy. Perhaps
it is for us to remind them of the importance and value of 'freedom'
and human rights in the whole of the United Kingdom, and the
difference between `criminal offence' and offence to bigot's
sensibilities?
> So he's probably going to get another 3 month sentence for a breach
> of the peace that never happened.
Perhaps not if we launch an effective letter writing campaign to MPs,
MSPs, the legal profession, the judiciary, the prison authorities and
the media. We all know, and the public support the view, that Steve is
not a threat to anyone, does no _harm_, has not committed an 'offence'
(there's no victim or justified complaint), and that prisons are
overcrowded. It is in no one's interest for him to be repeatedly
re-arrested or remain in prison.
To my knowledge, Steve has never been arrested in Scotland for BotP
without a member of the public first contacting police to make a
complaint, and at least two independent witnesses alleging an
`offence'. And we shouldn't forget that one of only three(?) cases
involving the public, was not proven and both Melanie and Steve were
accordingly found not guilty. This repeated allegation of BotP by
police outside prison without a prior complaint is difficult to
understand, and no one from the legal profession is challenging it
effectively. That is an absolute disgrace!
If we act NOW, we could have an impact before it comes to trial in the
next month – but we've already lost 23 days (since the 5th), so
perhaps we're already too late?
> It's an absolute disgrace that the people responsible for this site
Who are they then?
> can't keep it up to date.
I'll take that as a sign of your frustration with the situation,
rather than an attack on anyone here. I know you like to provoke a
response so I'll use this as an opportunity to remind EVERYONE here
that it is YOUR responsibility to keep us ALL informed of any
information you have that would interest supporters and/or be helpful
to Steve. Even you Bob!
In fact you did on March 13th:
"Hi Mel
I spoke with Steve's solicitor a week or so ago, I think he said
Steve was due for release on 15 March.
He was not hopeful of success in the appeals, and unfortunately was
of the opinion that on release Steve would once again walk naked from
the prison, and simply be re-arrested.
I'm sorry to have to tell you that, and obviously I hope it doesn't
happen. I guess the only person who might be able to persuade him
otherwise would be yourself, but it would appear that his mind was
pretty much made up already, and I don't need to tell you that he is
unlikely to be swayed from the course he feels is right for himself.
We still meet up for a pint on Thursdays. Be good to see you sometime.
best
Bob"
So what are the details of the `charge' for each of these 'prison
release' arrests?
A little history…
In case anyone doesn't know: I set up this group and the nakedwalk.org
website, for a number of reasons:
1. I support Steve and what he is doing.
2. I believe passionately in the 'freedom' to be yourself/dress (or
not) as you choose.
3. I have the technical knowledge and time available to _administer_
them both.
However, despite working full-time on 'promoting' naturism, I _don't_
have the time to search for all the 'nakedwalk' news (especially when
there isn't any!), and write up accounts of events, as well as pursue
various other/mainstream aspects of naturism. So I am relying on
others to provide links to news items when they appear and keeping us
all updated. There used to be a core of 'active supporters' - where
are they all?
I do still field _all_ the nakedwalk telephone and email media
requests, answer their questions and/or ensure these are passed on to
those who can help further. A lot goes on behind the scenes with
discussion by phone – sometimes weekly – with Bernard and Bob, and
sometimes others, now including Mel. Only last night, unusually via
the http://naturists-uk.org enquiry form, I got a request from a
Birmingham University law student asking for information on Steve's
contempt hearings. I spent over half-an-hour replying with what I had,
and CC'ed Bernard and Bob, in case they could help further. That was
sent before Bob posted the above.
I know Bob had advance notice of Steve's release date (5th), but the
first I knew about it was on Sunday 11th, when I was told it was
Thursday 15th by Mel! Bob had given her the wrong date. As Mel posted
here on Tuesday 13th:
hi chris
steve is due to come out any time now! think i will give his defence
solicitor a ring to see what's happening. will let you know if there
is any news
Mel
and on Thursday 15th in response to Bob's post above:
Hi Bob,
You can never be sure what is going to happen and I wouldn't dream of
trying to persuade Steve to put clothes on. I think it's brilliant
what he's doing, even though we all miss him. If he goes back inside
that's ok I know he is following his heart. I phoned the prison this
morning to speak to Steve and I am to call back in half hour. Will let
you know, and I'll come for a pint tonight,
love melx
there's not much any of us can do but await further news from Mel or
Bob. It wasn't until _after_ my conversation with Bob on the 18th,
when I asked "Any news of Steve's release?", that he checked Steve's
letter and realised his mistake.
But who's at fault? Shouldn't Steve have written to ask someone:
"Please could you post… (something relating to his release on the 5th
and what, if anything, he would like people to do)"?
I can only assume Steve is content to play it his way and that there
is nothing he'd like anyone to do – unless perhaps they offer? Steve
only writes to me when I first write to him. That's his choice. I have
no problem with that and wish I had time to write to him more than I
have, but I think the limited time I have is better used fielding the
media enquiries, and pro-actively discussing with others what can be
done to help – hence my informative post on March 22nd.
I know a number of people, including Bernard and Bob, write to Steve
regularly, and receive prompt replies. That prompted me to phone
Bernard when I learned he would be going to Scotland and could visit
Steve. I also offered to go but we both understood and accepted that
as Steve would not dress for the `privilege' of a visit, a visit would
not be allowed. Steve is also refused phone calls because he will not
dress to use the common areas of the prison and remains in solitary
confinement. As none of us are able to speak with Steve, I therefore
suggested that he gives his permission for his defence lawyers to
discuss his case(s) with the three of us, as was the situation from
the start with his London lawyers, Bindmans, for his cases in England
and Wales. It's surprising that Steve didn't think to do that a year
ago, and that no one had asked. Bernard took my suggestion, wrote
again to Steve, and since then both Bernard and Bob have had
communications with the solicitor, so information, particularly in the
pages of H&E should be forthcoming.
What is surprising to me is that all the letters people receive from
Steve are treated as if they were personal private correspondence –
perhaps they are – and none have been published. I've repeatedly
suggested to all those I know have received letters that they ask
Steve whether it is OK for people to publish all or part of what he
writes, but again nothing appears. I'm as frustrated as anyone, but it
is Steve who is running the show and unless he wants our support and
makes it possible/easier for us to give it, the situation will not change.
A bit more history…
A number of people volunteered to keep the 'Location/Daily Updates'
updated on a _daily_ basis during the walk. Steve's brother Rob was
one, primarily because he wanted to, but also because he has a mobile
phone (I don't and I wasn't going to be at home, contactable all the
time), and it's cheaper for Steve to ring/text a mobile. Chris Lamb
helped out from the point he finished his walk and Bernard carried on
when Chris went off to Brussels to work. I have helped out whenever I
have had information to add – such as when the Sun phoned after Steve
was seen up a lampost in the prison courtyard with a banner, and after
talking to James when he attended one of the court hearings and phoned
me from a payphone. So four or more have kept the website updated on a
daily/regular basis (when news was available), from the start (June
2005) through to the first jail term starting in September 2005. See here:
http://www.nakedwalk.org/index.php?option=com_content&t...tegory§ionid=4&\
id=14&Itemid=39
and look down the list to Friday 2nd September. That's a huge list of
news items since – who says there's never any news of Steve on the
nakedwalk website!? – and look at the list of names who posted them! I
only see Chris's (who stopped, given his work commitments and time
devoted to support BN), and myself.
> Steve seems to be a forgotten man.
I don't think Steve is forgotten, but he is being allowed to play it
his way.
> But they'll all be clapping him on the back when he finally
triumphs, and he will.
I only hope the realisation of the time Steve has spent in prison, his
loss of liberty for so long, and missing out on seeing his children
grow up, doesn't affect him later. Did anyone see the BBC 1 'One Life'
programme last night? There are some parallels with the case of Ricky
Tomlinson and others, who were, it is claimed, wrongly convicted and
imprisoned for three years for events on a picket line in the 1970s.
Those convicted conducted a political 'blanket' (nude) protest in
prison, but the trauma lead to poor health and the death of one not
long after he was released.
It made compelling viewing, although I was left somewhat confused by
Ricky's claim of innocence when all the traced witnesses still said
they were victims of picket line violence. But then photographs did
support his claim that police attended and were shown to be standing
back, viewing what appeared (at the time the photos were taken), a
non-violent confrontation between pickets (there was an `official
strike'), and those still working. And there were no arrests on the
day! It would seem that the whole trial was politically motivated and
any incidental/accidental/fictitious(?) injuries were not the
responsibility of those organising the official picketing.
> But rather than wasting your time posting here, why not write direct
> to Steve at: Stephen Gough, Segregation Wing, HMP Edinburgh,
> 33 Stenhouse Road, Edinburgh, EH11 3LN.
Well, I hope the above `review/update' wasn't a waste of time, that we
are doing what we can, and that people will write to Steve (I mean you
Roy!), and ask him what we can do to help, if anything, and ask if his
reply can be published here and/or on http://nakedwalk.org
And if you don't have time to transcribe it, please ask for a
volunteer (Bernard is a quick typist!)
> He'll appreciate a little support. And if you don't agree with what
> he's doing tell him so. But be prepared to get a reply that might
> make you change your mind.
>
> Bob
Certainly Steve's arguments are inspiring and profound. I just wish
he'd ensure his voice was heard far and wide. As well as writing for
publication here, Steve could be writing to newspapers and having his
letters published internationally? Does anyone know if he's tried that?
Bernard: I'm interested to know what Steve thinks of my suggestions.
Could you please print this off and enclose it with your next letter
to Steve? Thanks.
And can all those who receive letters, at least tell us any important
information they feel we should know the day they get it!? Even if
it's only, "Had a letter from Steve today and he's fine! He's due `in
court'/'for release' on …"
When is his next court case Bob? Are there any local supporters who
could attend the hearing? I asked that too of his Appeal hearing,
particularly from one of the University law sites that have been
reporting on events. But we've yet to find out if anyone did.
Richard
Important info on Steve's situation below – please read it carefully.
I only hope it helps and I don't want to have to repeat it.
--- In [email protected], "bobathenat"
>
> As I understand it, he was released on 5 March, naked as usual, was
> asked to dress, refused, and was then bundled into the back of the
> waiting police van in the prison car park.
I take it that's a supposition based on your prior knowledge of
Steve's release date, and the now routine approach of Scottish police
to his release naked from prison. Or have you had news since we spoke
last Sunday?
It would appear the media no longer sees this as newsworthy. Perhaps
it is for us to remind them of the importance and value of 'freedom'
and human rights in the whole of the United Kingdom, and the
difference between `criminal offence' and offence to bigot's
sensibilities?
> So he's probably going to get another 3 month sentence for a breach
> of the peace that never happened.
Perhaps not if we launch an effective letter writing campaign to MPs,
MSPs, the legal profession, the judiciary, the prison authorities and
the media. We all know, and the public support the view, that Steve is
not a threat to anyone, does no _harm_, has not committed an 'offence'
(there's no victim or justified complaint), and that prisons are
overcrowded. It is in no one's interest for him to be repeatedly
re-arrested or remain in prison.
To my knowledge, Steve has never been arrested in Scotland for BotP
without a member of the public first contacting police to make a
complaint, and at least two independent witnesses alleging an
`offence'. And we shouldn't forget that one of only three(?) cases
involving the public, was not proven and both Melanie and Steve were
accordingly found not guilty. This repeated allegation of BotP by
police outside prison without a prior complaint is difficult to
understand, and no one from the legal profession is challenging it
effectively. That is an absolute disgrace!
If we act NOW, we could have an impact before it comes to trial in the
next month – but we've already lost 23 days (since the 5th), so
perhaps we're already too late?
> It's an absolute disgrace that the people responsible for this site
Who are they then?
> can't keep it up to date.
I'll take that as a sign of your frustration with the situation,
rather than an attack on anyone here. I know you like to provoke a
response so I'll use this as an opportunity to remind EVERYONE here
that it is YOUR responsibility to keep us ALL informed of any
information you have that would interest supporters and/or be helpful
to Steve. Even you Bob!
In fact you did on March 13th:
"Hi Mel
I spoke with Steve's solicitor a week or so ago, I think he said
Steve was due for release on 15 March.
He was not hopeful of success in the appeals, and unfortunately was
of the opinion that on release Steve would once again walk naked from
the prison, and simply be re-arrested.
I'm sorry to have to tell you that, and obviously I hope it doesn't
happen. I guess the only person who might be able to persuade him
otherwise would be yourself, but it would appear that his mind was
pretty much made up already, and I don't need to tell you that he is
unlikely to be swayed from the course he feels is right for himself.
We still meet up for a pint on Thursdays. Be good to see you sometime.
best
Bob"
So what are the details of the `charge' for each of these 'prison
release' arrests?
A little history…
In case anyone doesn't know: I set up this group and the nakedwalk.org
website, for a number of reasons:
1. I support Steve and what he is doing.
2. I believe passionately in the 'freedom' to be yourself/dress (or
not) as you choose.
3. I have the technical knowledge and time available to _administer_
them both.
However, despite working full-time on 'promoting' naturism, I _don't_
have the time to search for all the 'nakedwalk' news (especially when
there isn't any!), and write up accounts of events, as well as pursue
various other/mainstream aspects of naturism. So I am relying on
others to provide links to news items when they appear and keeping us
all updated. There used to be a core of 'active supporters' - where
are they all?
I do still field _all_ the nakedwalk telephone and email media
requests, answer their questions and/or ensure these are passed on to
those who can help further. A lot goes on behind the scenes with
discussion by phone – sometimes weekly – with Bernard and Bob, and
sometimes others, now including Mel. Only last night, unusually via
the http://naturists-uk.org enquiry form, I got a request from a
Birmingham University law student asking for information on Steve's
contempt hearings. I spent over half-an-hour replying with what I had,
and CC'ed Bernard and Bob, in case they could help further. That was
sent before Bob posted the above.
I know Bob had advance notice of Steve's release date (5th), but the
first I knew about it was on Sunday 11th, when I was told it was
Thursday 15th by Mel! Bob had given her the wrong date. As Mel posted
here on Tuesday 13th:
hi chris
steve is due to come out any time now! think i will give his defence
solicitor a ring to see what's happening. will let you know if there
is any news
Mel
and on Thursday 15th in response to Bob's post above:
Hi Bob,
You can never be sure what is going to happen and I wouldn't dream of
trying to persuade Steve to put clothes on. I think it's brilliant
what he's doing, even though we all miss him. If he goes back inside
that's ok I know he is following his heart. I phoned the prison this
morning to speak to Steve and I am to call back in half hour. Will let
you know, and I'll come for a pint tonight,
love melx
there's not much any of us can do but await further news from Mel or
Bob. It wasn't until _after_ my conversation with Bob on the 18th,
when I asked "Any news of Steve's release?", that he checked Steve's
letter and realised his mistake.
But who's at fault? Shouldn't Steve have written to ask someone:
"Please could you post… (something relating to his release on the 5th
and what, if anything, he would like people to do)"?
I can only assume Steve is content to play it his way and that there
is nothing he'd like anyone to do – unless perhaps they offer? Steve
only writes to me when I first write to him. That's his choice. I have
no problem with that and wish I had time to write to him more than I
have, but I think the limited time I have is better used fielding the
media enquiries, and pro-actively discussing with others what can be
done to help – hence my informative post on March 22nd.
I know a number of people, including Bernard and Bob, write to Steve
regularly, and receive prompt replies. That prompted me to phone
Bernard when I learned he would be going to Scotland and could visit
Steve. I also offered to go but we both understood and accepted that
as Steve would not dress for the `privilege' of a visit, a visit would
not be allowed. Steve is also refused phone calls because he will not
dress to use the common areas of the prison and remains in solitary
confinement. As none of us are able to speak with Steve, I therefore
suggested that he gives his permission for his defence lawyers to
discuss his case(s) with the three of us, as was the situation from
the start with his London lawyers, Bindmans, for his cases in England
and Wales. It's surprising that Steve didn't think to do that a year
ago, and that no one had asked. Bernard took my suggestion, wrote
again to Steve, and since then both Bernard and Bob have had
communications with the solicitor, so information, particularly in the
pages of H&E should be forthcoming.
What is surprising to me is that all the letters people receive from
Steve are treated as if they were personal private correspondence –
perhaps they are – and none have been published. I've repeatedly
suggested to all those I know have received letters that they ask
Steve whether it is OK for people to publish all or part of what he
writes, but again nothing appears. I'm as frustrated as anyone, but it
is Steve who is running the show and unless he wants our support and
makes it possible/easier for us to give it, the situation will not change.
A bit more history…
A number of people volunteered to keep the 'Location/Daily Updates'
updated on a _daily_ basis during the walk. Steve's brother Rob was
one, primarily because he wanted to, but also because he has a mobile
phone (I don't and I wasn't going to be at home, contactable all the
time), and it's cheaper for Steve to ring/text a mobile. Chris Lamb
helped out from the point he finished his walk and Bernard carried on
when Chris went off to Brussels to work. I have helped out whenever I
have had information to add – such as when the Sun phoned after Steve
was seen up a lampost in the prison courtyard with a banner, and after
talking to James when he attended one of the court hearings and phoned
me from a payphone. So four or more have kept the website updated on a
daily/regular basis (when news was available), from the start (June
2005) through to the first jail term starting in September 2005. See here:
http://www.nakedwalk.org/index.php?option=com_content&t...tegory§ionid=4&\
id=14&Itemid=39
and look down the list to Friday 2nd September. That's a huge list of
news items since – who says there's never any news of Steve on the
nakedwalk website!? – and look at the list of names who posted them! I
only see Chris's (who stopped, given his work commitments and time
devoted to support BN), and myself.
> Steve seems to be a forgotten man.
I don't think Steve is forgotten, but he is being allowed to play it
his way.
> But they'll all be clapping him on the back when he finally
triumphs, and he will.
I only hope the realisation of the time Steve has spent in prison, his
loss of liberty for so long, and missing out on seeing his children
grow up, doesn't affect him later. Did anyone see the BBC 1 'One Life'
programme last night? There are some parallels with the case of Ricky
Tomlinson and others, who were, it is claimed, wrongly convicted and
imprisoned for three years for events on a picket line in the 1970s.
Those convicted conducted a political 'blanket' (nude) protest in
prison, but the trauma lead to poor health and the death of one not
long after he was released.
It made compelling viewing, although I was left somewhat confused by
Ricky's claim of innocence when all the traced witnesses still said
they were victims of picket line violence. But then photographs did
support his claim that police attended and were shown to be standing
back, viewing what appeared (at the time the photos were taken), a
non-violent confrontation between pickets (there was an `official
strike'), and those still working. And there were no arrests on the
day! It would seem that the whole trial was politically motivated and
any incidental/accidental/fictitious(?) injuries were not the
responsibility of those organising the official picketing.
> But rather than wasting your time posting here, why not write direct
> to Steve at: Stephen Gough, Segregation Wing, HMP Edinburgh,
> 33 Stenhouse Road, Edinburgh, EH11 3LN.
Well, I hope the above `review/update' wasn't a waste of time, that we
are doing what we can, and that people will write to Steve (I mean you
Roy!), and ask him what we can do to help, if anything, and ask if his
reply can be published here and/or on http://nakedwalk.org
And if you don't have time to transcribe it, please ask for a
volunteer (Bernard is a quick typist!)
> He'll appreciate a little support. And if you don't agree with what
> he's doing tell him so. But be prepared to get a reply that might
> make you change your mind.
>
> Bob
Certainly Steve's arguments are inspiring and profound. I just wish
he'd ensure his voice was heard far and wide. As well as writing for
publication here, Steve could be writing to newspapers and having his
letters published internationally? Does anyone know if he's tried that?
Bernard: I'm interested to know what Steve thinks of my suggestions.
Could you please print this off and enclose it with your next letter
to Steve? Thanks.
And can all those who receive letters, at least tell us any important
information they feel we should know the day they get it!? Even if
it's only, "Had a letter from Steve today and he's fine! He's due `in
court'/'for release' on …"
When is his next court case Bob? Are there any local supporters who
could attend the hearing? I asked that too of his Appeal hearing,
particularly from one of the University law sites that have been
reporting on events. But we've yet to find out if anyone did.
Richard
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