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Early day motion tabled by primary sponsor George Galloway (Labour), on Tuesday, 20 July 1993, in the House of Commons. It is signed by 34 members in total.

MRS STELLA RIMINGTON AND THE MINERS' UNION

That this House, noting recent publicity about Stella Rimington, Director General of the Security Service, recalls her central role in operations against the miners during and after the coal strike of 1984-85, in particular, her deployment of agents provocateurs within the National Union of Mineworkers, including Roger Windsor, Chief Executive Officer of the NUM 1983 to 1989, an agent of MI5 under Mrs Rimington, sent in to the NUM to destabilise and sabotage the Union at its most critical juncture; notes that in 1984 he made contact with Libyan Officials through Altaf Abasi and staged a televised meeting with Colonel Gaddafi, causing immense damage to the striking miners; that Windsor's actions led to serious and expensive internal disputes, notably a ??100,000 libel damages settlement as a result of a letter Windsor forged in the name of David Prendergast of the U.D.M.; further notes that in March 1990, under Stella Rimington's guidance, Windsor was the sole witness, paid ??80,000 for his testimony by Robert Maxwell, behind allegations of corruption against the NUM leadership, published in the Daily Mirror, later proved to be entirely untrue; and considers that notwithstanding recent cosmetic changes to its image, the Security Service, including Mrs Rimington, has been responsible for the subversion of democratic liberties in Britain and should be brought to account.

Amendments

The Early day motion has received 2 amendments.

2352A1
leave out from 'Mirror' to end and add 'and notes that Mr Windsor was recruited and appointed by Mr Arthur Scargill and hailed by Mr Scargill as a great asset to the union; and that Mr windsor was consistently defended by Mr Scargill against severe critisisms by officers of the NUM South Wales Area and by other NUM members who were suspicious of Mr Windsor's role bothe during and after the 1984-85 mining dispute and who were appalled at Mr Scargil's lack of judgement in encouraging and protecting him.'.
2352A2
leave out from 'Mirror' to end and add 'and notes as a consequence that the NUM set up its own inquiry; recalls that as a result of this the NUM National Executive Committee took out writs against the two national officials and was successful in regaining ??742,000 from the MIREDS account in Dublin; notes that this account was set up in 1985 and was funded by loans and donations made to the NUM Head Office; further notes that the first withdrawal from this account in August 1985 was for the sum of ??100,000 as a loan to the President of the NUM to purchase a second home; and agrees with the report of the NUM's own inquiry conducted by Gavin Lightman QC which concluded that this was a "misapplication of funds".'.

Secondary information

Type
Early day motion
Reference
2352 
2352A1 
2352A2 
Session
1992-93
Subjects
Intelligence services MI5 Surveillance National Union of Mineworkers Rimington, Stella Windsor, Roger
Link
View this Early day motion on www.parliament.uk