Mote in Brussels' Eye by Ashley Mote

Author:Ashley Mote [Mote, Ashley]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Political Science, General
ISBN: 9780956512321
Google: k--KDwAAQBAJ
Publisher: eBook Versions
Published: 2013-01-21T11:18:38+00:00

There were to be more crossings of swords with Verheugen to come, but never since his letter of 15th June 2007 has a Brit been prosecuted for selling by imperial weights. The local jobsworths still huffed and puffed, but they never prosecuted.

Later, having circulated both Verheugen’s and my letters to the British Weights and Measures Association, and others, and received their replies, I was able to send an email to all MEPs. It read:

An Appeal for Your Support – To Put Right an Injustice

Steve Thoburn, a market trader from Sunderland, tragically lost his life as a result of metrication being forced on millions of unwilling traders and customers in the UK seven years ago. His death followed a protracted, awesome and highly publicised criminal trial, subsequent appeals, and all the attendant stress and harassment of his family. Three other market traders were also given criminal records for doing no more than selling groceries to customers who had ordered in customary imperial units.

Now, over the last few weeks, the European Commission has had second thoughts about the imposition of metrication on the UK.

A letter from Gunter Verheugen, the commissioner holding the enterprise and industry portfolio, received in my office last week said: “With regard to the specific question of traders in the UK who solely want to make use of imperial measurements, we are also studying this issue and are analysing the outcome of public consultations on this”.

As a result of that statement it is clearly now impossible for the British government to expect Trading Standards Officers to enforce present legislation which makes using imperial measures a criminal offence. I have therefore consulted a colleague in the House of Commons. As a matter of urgency he is seeking a definitive statement from the British government on their current position in these new circumstances.

Meanwhile, Neil Herron, a great personal friend of Steve Thoburn and now an active member of the British Weights and Measures Association has launched a campaign to seek a posthumous Royal Pardon for Steve Thoburn, and the quashing of the other convictions.

Neil Herron has asked me to forward the following statement and invitation to all MEPs who might wish to associate themselves with his “Metric Martyr” campaign for a Royal Pardon for Steve Thoburn. It reads:

In light of Commissioner Verheugen's recent comments we are calling for statements of support from Members of the European Parliament for our campaign for a posthumous Royal Pardon for British greengrocer Steve Thoburn, and the quashing of the three other convictions of traders under UK Metrication Regulations.

Commissioner Verheugen has quite rightly told Mr Mote that the Commission has no intention of endangering the historical and cultural traditions of Member States.

So pan-European support for the Metric Martyrs campaign for a Royal Pardon, regardless of political differences, may perhaps show at least one European institution (the Parliament) in a more favourable light, and demonstrate cross-border support to put right a grievous injustice .

[The email concluded with an email address for responses.]

Next, I had to mobilise public awareness and reaction in the UK.

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