TEESSIDE SCAFFOLDER
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Saltend protests: GMB union official in court to deny public order charge
A UNION official has appeared in court charged with a public order offence during the Saltend protest.
GMB official Phil Whitehurst was arrested after he joined protestors outside the new bio-ethanol plant at Saltend.
More than 30 protestors gathered outside Hull Magistrates' Court and packed the public gallery as Mr Whitehurst made his first appearance in the dock.
He is accused of failing to comply with a police direction on May 4 outside the Saltend plant.
The court heard police told Mr Whitehurst only 20 protestors were allowed on the picket line at any one time.
When he joined them, taking the number to 21, he refused to leave when police asked him to and was arrested.
The law allows police to limit the number of protesters in one area at a particular time.
Mr Whitehurst, 56, of Rotherham, has denied a charge of public order and is now due to stand trial, expected to last three days, in September.
Supporters in the public gallery in the courtroom applauded as Mr Whitehurst entered his plea.
District Judge Fred Rutherford told the protestors: "I do not mind you being here but please remain quiet."
He fixed the trial date for September 5 and released Mr Whitehurst on unconditional bail, warning him the trial would still go ahead if he failed to turn up.
Protestors had waved placards and a banner outside the door to the court prior to Mr Whitehurst's hearing before taking their places in the public gallery.
Will Murray, 59, from Hull, went to the court to support Mr Whitehurst.
He said: "I came to show solidarity and support him.
"I worked at the site for 11 months before they locked us out and have been joining the protestors there at 6.30am every morning.
"About 30 of have come to support him."
Maria Ludkin, GMB National Officer for Legal and Corporate Affairs, said, "GMB has instructed one of the most prominent human rights firms in the country – Bindmans – to represent Phil Whitehurst and will be vigorously contesting this charge."
Demonstrators have been protesting outside the plant ,which is being built by Vivergo for BP, after hundreds of workers were laid off.
The problems began when Redhall fell out with Vivergo after the project to build the plant fell behind schedule and over-budget.
The 430 workers, employed by sub-contractor Redhall Engineering Solutions Ltd, have been in dispute with plant owner Vivergo since March after they were told they have no jobs.
A UNION official has appeared in court charged with a public order offence during the Saltend protest.
GMB official Phil Whitehurst was arrested after he joined protestors outside the new bio-ethanol plant at Saltend.
More than 30 protestors gathered outside Hull Magistrates' Court and packed the public gallery as Mr Whitehurst made his first appearance in the dock.
He is accused of failing to comply with a police direction on May 4 outside the Saltend plant.
The court heard police told Mr Whitehurst only 20 protestors were allowed on the picket line at any one time.
When he joined them, taking the number to 21, he refused to leave when police asked him to and was arrested.
The law allows police to limit the number of protesters in one area at a particular time.
Mr Whitehurst, 56, of Rotherham, has denied a charge of public order and is now due to stand trial, expected to last three days, in September.
Supporters in the public gallery in the courtroom applauded as Mr Whitehurst entered his plea.
District Judge Fred Rutherford told the protestors: "I do not mind you being here but please remain quiet."
He fixed the trial date for September 5 and released Mr Whitehurst on unconditional bail, warning him the trial would still go ahead if he failed to turn up.
Protestors had waved placards and a banner outside the door to the court prior to Mr Whitehurst's hearing before taking their places in the public gallery.
Will Murray, 59, from Hull, went to the court to support Mr Whitehurst.
He said: "I came to show solidarity and support him.
"I worked at the site for 11 months before they locked us out and have been joining the protestors there at 6.30am every morning.
"About 30 of have come to support him."
Maria Ludkin, GMB National Officer for Legal and Corporate Affairs, said, "GMB has instructed one of the most prominent human rights firms in the country – Bindmans – to represent Phil Whitehurst and will be vigorously contesting this charge."
Demonstrators have been protesting outside the plant ,which is being built by Vivergo for BP, after hundreds of workers were laid off.
The problems began when Redhall fell out with Vivergo after the project to build the plant fell behind schedule and over-budget.
The 430 workers, employed by sub-contractor Redhall Engineering Solutions Ltd, have been in dispute with plant owner Vivergo since March after they were told they have no jobs.