United Campaign Against Plastic Bullets

235a Falls Road, Belfast, BT12 4PE

Tel: 028 90220100; Fax: 02890220101

Email: clara.reilly@relativesforjustice.com

30 April 2001

Sir John Stevens -

"Such ammunition has never been deployed on  mainland Britain and I have no intention to do so tomorrow." - Double  standards incense plastic & rubber bullet victims in the North
 
 

The Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir John Stevens says he has no intention of using plastic baton rounds during May Day demonstrations in  London.

Thousands of protesters are expected to congregate in London on  Tuesday and there are fears of violent unrest similar to last year's disruption.

Sir John Stevens said: "I would like to make it clear that the authorisation to use baton rounds would be my personal responsibility  and mine alone.

"Such ammunition has never been deployed on mainland Britain and  I have no intention to do so tomorrow."

His statement comes after the chairman of the Metropolitan Police  Authority Lord Harris told the BBC he understood officers might resort to the use  of plastic bullets if the situation got out of hand.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair is expected to make a speech on  Monday afternoon giving his "absolute support" for the police in  their handling of the situation.

Speaking today, Clara Reilly, the Chairperson of the United Campaign  Against Plastic Bullets said:

'Given the gravity of the situation facing the Metropolitan Police  tomorrow, and in the wake of last week's riot causing considerable damage  including petrol bombings in Britain, people in the North will naturally ask why plastic  bullets are still be used here during a peace process, and why are we facing the  introduction of a new type of plastic bullet which is more lethal?

'We welcome fully today's statement from John Stevens. It is a  responsible common sense position. It is responsible policing and Ronnie Flanagan  would do well to emulate this position in what can only be described as  circumstances far less dangerous that those currently facing the Metropolitan Police.

The casual indifference of these positions exposes not only the  double standards but also the racist and sectarian decision to use rubber and  plastic bullets in the North of Ireland and almost exclusively against one  section of the community.

Plastic bullets should not be used anywhere. They have no place in  our society and I now call on John Reid to immediately withdraw plastic bullets forthwith.'