Topic:	CNLA THREAT? 'DEVONWALL' POLICE - ARE THEY PART OF THE PROBLEM?
SpyrysKernewek Posts: 13 Posted: 9.Jul 2007 - 15:24	CELTIC LEAGUE - PRESS INFORMATION CNLA THREAT? 'DEVONWALL' POLICE - ARE THEY PART OF THE PROBLEM? One of the most ominous comments in relation to the emergence of reawakened direct action in Cornwall recently was the statement from Devon and Cornwall Police that they are to set up 'a task force to investigate the threats'. What substance there is to the statements from the body which issued the direct action statements, the Cornish National Liberation Army, remains to be seen. However, nationalists throughout the Celtic countries do have experience and a proven track record of 'British Police Forces' adopteding a heavy-handed approach to Celtic nationalism generally, particularly when they have no real leads to pursue. In Mannin when (the third spate of) direct action occurred in the late 1980s local police actively assisted by incompetents from the United Kingdoms Special Branch invariably 'swooped' on the wrong people. Indeed at that time they initially targeted Irish expatriates unsure, or perhaps unable to accept, that Manx people were so frustrated by the sell-out of their country that they had decided to act. The same scenario unfolded in Cymru were despite the sustained harassment for more than a decade of activists in both the constitutional nationalist and language scenes little progress was ever made by Police (again assisted by British agencies such as Special branch and MI5) to apprehend those involved with Meibion Glyndwr. These examples are worth recalling at this time because if the weight of publicity which the recent CNLA statement has generated (primarily due to the so-called celebrities threatened) leads to 'Devonwall' police harassing political and language activists then we need to ensure that there is sustained scrutiny of the police actions from the other Celtic countries. We don't have to look far outside Cornwall to find examples of the activities of 'heavy handed plods'. Across the Channel in Brittany the French police have been running amok harassing nationalists for years. The Bretons appreciate the targeted support they get from the other Celtic countries and we must ensure that similar support is available to any in Cornwall unfairly targeted if Devon and Cornwall Police overstep the mark. Perhaps prior to launching its task force the Devon and Cornwall Police should consider its own position. In relation to Cornwall and the problems the indigenous population are aggrieved about, is the 'Devonwall force' part of the problem rather than the solution? We referred to the situation in Wales (above). However since the days when the North Wales force (with their little helpers from MI5) went round bugging phone kiosks things have moved on. The current Chief Constable, Richard Brunstrom, is a breath of fresh air, he has identified and more crucially spoken out about the threat to language and community in his force area. Perhaps it is too much to hope that the Chief Constable of Devon and Cornwall might look behind the recent statement by the CNLA to ascertain the depth of anger that many good Cornish people feel at the way their country is being treated. Finally, Cornwall has a separate national identity. Why has it not got its own distinct police service? Indeed when the 'county' forces were merged to 'Devon and Cornwall' why was alphabetical precedence ignored? J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League
Coady Posts: 2058 Posted: 10.Jul 2007 - 11:22	If Mr. Moffat did a little more research, he wouldn't have to pose some of the questions he does. Devon and Cornwall Constabulary is divided into four administrative areas, called Basic Command Units (BCUs). Whereas Devon is split into three BCUs, Cornwall and Scilly make up one single unit, precisely overlaying geographic Cornwall and Scilly. It is probably the biggest BCU in Britain, has its own budget, and its own Commander, Superintendent Rob Cooper, (a Cornishman I believe) leading his command team from Cornwall IOS BCU at Truro HQ. Although Cornwall IOS BCU comes under Devon and Cornwall, they in turn come under the Home Office. Cornwall DOES have its own geographic police force to a larger degree than many other places, and there are a heck of a lot of Cornish people employed in it, as officers and support staff. Though there is no policy of putting Cornish staff in Cornwall rather than Devon, I SUSPECT that many Cornish staff aim for postings in Cornwall when possible. The current set up is more "Cornish" in some ways that anything since the amalgamation of the forces in 1967 (?) It means there is ONE reference point where any Cornish Organisation can deal directly with the police for Cornwall. Cornwall IOS police already liaise with scores of groups and organisations..if specifically Cornish groups do NOT liaise directly with Cornwall's police, that is their own decision! The Cornish Police also work with Cornwall's Council, the District and Paris/Town councils, as they are the official representative bodies elected by the people of Cornwall. I don't know what more Mr Moffat would want.....perhaps he could benefit from a meeting with one of Ch. Supt. Cooper's team? Graham. We live in interesting times.
moonshine Posts: 1171 Posted: 10.Jul 2007 - 11:32	QuoteWhereas Devon is split into three BCUs, Cornwall and Scilly make up one single unit, precisely overlaying geographic Cornwall and Scilly. It is probably the biggest BCU in Britain, has its own budget, and its own Commander, Superintendent Rob Cooper, (a Cornishman I believe) leading his command team from Cornwall IOS BCU at Truro HQ. So why bother creating D&C in the first place? And why was alphabetical precedence ignored? More to the point, why bother turning a local police force into a "Basic Command Unit" in the first place, what's wrong with calling it a police force? edited by: moonshine, Jul 10, 2007 - 11:34 AM
Coady Posts: 2058 Posted: 10.Jul 2007 - 11:47	Moonshine, in the 60s Forces were amalgamated all across the country, largely for economic reasons I think. Cornwall Constabulary was poor, and very poorly resourced. Who knows about alphabetical precedence after 40 years? (I was only seven years old!) Everyone involved in the decision is probably long dead. The Devon Force was twice the size of Cornwall, the 'new' HQ was in Exeter, and the Devon people probably had the louder 'voice' Until the idea of BCUs came up a few years ago, Cornwall was at various times split into two, sometimes three 'divisions', with no overall "Cornish" identity. The current set up seems better to me. We live in interesting times.
SpyrysKernewek Posts: 13 Posted: 10.Jul 2007 - 14:00	So Devonwall police have solved it all again have they ? They have arrested a Padstow man (whose initials are D.E.) for making a perfectly polite phone call to Oliver's restaurant asking how many real Cornish people were employed there. He did this in the presence of a witness whose details he has reserved for his own legal brief - why let the plod put words in the mouths of witnesses ? A subsequent house search revealed the arrested person's possession of John Angarrack's second book and other lawful Cornish material. 'Ello, ello, ello' says plod 'What's all this then ?' As we all know being Cornish is now illegal and how dare an innocent man ask a perfectly straightforward question. This will end up another job for the Police Complaints Authority who might as well relocate to Kernow since Devonwall police are so good at picking up complaints following their racist behaviour. I only know of one good honest ex-plod and he's hiding away at home following threats he has received at the moment, poor sod, another Cornishman convicted for being as much !
celticwarrior Posts: 193 Posted: 10.Jul 2007 - 14:54	Does this CNLA actually exist or is it just a couple of hoaxers and prank callers cause lets face it they havent actually done anything have they?
Joe Posts: 781 Posted: 10.Jul 2007 - 15:35	The fact that they might exist has certainly gained a few column inches.
Righteous_Voice Posts: 27 Posted: 10.Jul 2007 - 17:51	I don't see the relevance of quoting some mistakes by police in respect of other historical terrorist threats. The CNLA have made these threats and police have to take them seriously (even if they prove to be not so) because they are threatening people and property. If the wrong people get arrested they should blame the CNLA for making such stupid statements in our horrible current climate of very real terrorist threats. Cornwall should be ashamed that the CNLA is 'fighting' in its name. Of course they have not actually done anything yet, and I pray they never do. and like Mrs Pleasant said on the other forum thread (second homes I think) as soon as they do actually do something they will quickly change from being laughed at to being hated
angofbew online Posts: 947 Posted: 10.Jul 2007 - 20:06	Firstly I must state that I do not agree With the CNLA or it's actions (thats if they actually exist). However Terrorist or Extremeists are not born that way, they are made to be that way. The CNLA and it's members have (in their minds) been driven to take the actions thay are set upon. This is the creation of an uncaring, immoral and arrogant English Establishment who will not accept the rights of the Cornish. The Second Home problem is (I believe) not the main objective of this organisation, it is just one of their targets. One which I might suggest, is their main way of getting Publicity. The real aims are in the Name 'National'. It seems obvious to me the the Media are softening this aspect of who they are. As for them becoming hated, well I am pretty sure they don't care that much about how they are thought of. So their proclaimed Targets so far are, as I see it, for greater publicity, which I feel has failed in that it's all about Second Homes and not the National Question. Maybe we will see a change in their Tactics once this has been realised, who knows. The Police action so far has been laughable, it shows that they are so far clutching at straws. It is obvious that they have no idea who these People are, but like I have said before, i do not believe they exist.
joaniewillett Posts: 611 Posted: 10.Jul 2007 - 20:13	angofbewF Terrorist or Extremeists are not born that way, they are made to be that way. The CNLA and it's members have (in their minds) been driven to take the actions thay are set upon. This is the creation of an uncaring, immoral and arrogant English Establishment who will not accept the rights of the Cornish. Good point, that we all need to remember - supporters of the CNLA or not.
moonshine Posts: 1171 Posted: 10.Jul 2007 - 21:15	The government anounced that the war against terrorism will last 15 years. What will be so different in 16 years from now that will not be evident in 14 years from now? The threat of terrorism is the tool of a new fascism.
Coady Posts: 2058 Posted: 11.Jul 2007 - 07:37	Hello reality.... The article quoted about the arrest of a man in connection with threats was from the SUN NEWSPAPER...If you are going to take what the Sun says as the basis for theories, then we really are in trouble! Even so, the paper was at pains to repeat the cop's assertion that there were 'parallel enquiries' And don't get TOO wound up about being arrested... its merely a procedure, and though shocking to honest people, there are loads of legal protections. It allows evidence to be gathered according to the legal rules, and arest and the subsequent investigation CLEARS as many people as it convicts! I've had appearances in court as "the defendent" and subsequently been cleared...its NOT fun, but its a fair hearing! Graham. We live in interesting times.