Cammell Laird Workers’ Imprisonment Public Inquiry 2025-12-10

Opened the debate

I thank the Backbench Business Committee for granting this important debate on the historical injustice of the wrongful imprisonment of 37 Cammell Laird workers who, in 1984, occupied their workplace in protest at redundancies, privatisation and threats of closure. They were sacked, they lost their jobs, redundancy and pension rights, and they were sent to prison in an unprecedented assault on trade unionists. The debate recognises the work of the workers themselves, paying tribute to individuals like Eddie Marnell who championed their cause outside Parliament. It also acknowledges the support from organisations such as GMB and legal advisors Paul Heron and Clare Lash-Williams. The speech highlights that in 1984, faced with sweeping redundancies and the decline of the shipbuilding industry, workers at Cammell Laird occupied their workplace to resist job losses and defend their livelihoods and communities. Management’s response was swift and heavy-handed, leading to the imprisonment of the workers, a case considered by many as a miscarriage of justice sanctioned at the highest levels of Government. The debate concludes with a call for a public inquiry into this issue, ensuring that the surviving workers receive justice.

Government Response

The Minister acknowledges the historical injustice faced by Cammell Laird workers, emphasising the Government’s commitment to fair employment rights. He highlights measures in the Employment Rights Bill aimed at preventing similar malpractice and notes that blacklisting is unacceptable under current legislation. The Minister explains that public inquiries are established by relevant Departments based on the seriousness of the issue, but industrial relations fall outside the Ministry of Justice's purview. He confirms a thorough re-examination of document searches to ensure all potentially relevant material is identified and disclosed. Additionally, he suggests considering an independent panel as a step forward for campaigners seeking justice. The Minister acknowledged the historical context and sympathised with the case raised by the Member for Liverpool Riverside. They explained that committals for contempt of court are civil matters, which do not meet criteria for a miscarriage of justice as it applies to wrongful convictions. The Minister noted that the Law Commission is reviewing the law on contempt of court at the Government’s request and has published the first part of its report last month, with the second part scheduled for next year. They committed to reviewing certain issues again based on this Adjournment debate, indicating a willingness to take action in response to the concerns raised.