Sir Keir Starmer's Past Defense of Saboteurs Raises Questions About His Current Stance on Protest

The revelation that Sir Keir Starmer, the leader of the UK's Labour Party, defended a protester who sabotaged US bombers in 2003 has raised questions about his stance on protest and national security. As a human rights barrister, Starmer argued that the actions of the defendant were justified because they were trying to stop the planes from committing war crimes. This raises implications about his current views on protests, particularly the one that took place at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, where pro-Palestinian activists allegedly damaged military aircraft.

Key Takeaways:

• Sir Keir Starmer, the Labour Party leader, defended a protester who sabotaged US bombers in 2003, arguing that the actions were justified because they were trying to stop the planes from committing war crimes.
• The case was part of the "Fairford Five" trials, where six individuals were tried for breaking into the RAF Fairford airbase to sabotage US bombers before they flew to Iraq.
• Two defendants were found guilty of causing criminal damage, two were acquitted, and one, defended by Starmer, was cleared after a jury failed to reach a verdict.
• Starmer's colleague, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch, pointed out that if his argument in 2003 was successful, the actions of the protesters at Brize Norton would be considered legal.
• Starmer has condemned the actions of the protesters at Brize Norton, describing them as "disgraceful" and emphasizing the importance of supporting the UK's armed forces.
• The "cab rank" rule, which requires barristers to take the next case in the queue, was cited as a reason for Starmer's involvement in the case.

Statistics:

• 6 individuals were tried for the "Fairford Five" case (Source: The article does not provide specific statistics on this point)
• 2 defendants were found guilty of causing criminal damage (Source: The article does not provide specific statistics on this point)
• 2 defendants were acquitted (Source: The article does not provide specific statistics on this point)
• 1 defendant, defended by Starmer, was cleared after a jury failed to reach a verdict (Source: The article does not provide specific statistics on this point)
• The "cab rank" rule applies to barristers, requiring them to take the next case in the queue (Source: Politco email newsletter)

Sources:

• Politico email newsletter (no specific date mentioned in the original text)
• Footage posted online by Palestine Action (no specific date mentioned in the original text)
• The article does not mention specific statistics or references for the "Fairford Five" case.