Michael Mansfield and Peter Oborne speak at event to launch new book on 'Ricin trial'

On Thursday 27 January at 6.30 for 7.00 pm, Amnesty International will host the launch of Ricin: The Inside Story of the Terror Plot That Never Was, a new book from the foreman of the jury in the renowned ‘Ricin trial’.

The 2004 trial set out to prove that Al Qaeda had been planning an attack on the UK. Following a landmark case lasting seven months, the jury cleared four of the five Algerian men who had been accused of a plot to manufacture poisons and explosives.

Weeks later the freed men were threatened with deportation to Algeria, despite the jury’s Not Guilty verdicts. To date only one man has been granted the right to remain in the UK. Two of the men were re-arrested in 2005 and held under Control Order conditions.

This topic and others raised by the ricin trial will be explored by:

Michael Mansfield QC: celebrated barrister who has defended numerous high profile cases, including that of the Guildford Four and the Birmingham Six. He successfully represented defendant Mouloud Sihali in the ricin trial.

Jon Snow Channel 4 news presenter, speaking from the media perspective of the ricin plot story and the challenges involved.

Julian Hayes: solicitor who represented defendant Sidali Feddag in the trial.

Lawrence Archer: jury foreman in the trial and co-author of a book on the subject, with legal journalist Fiona Bawdon.

Dianne Abbott MP:  Labour MP who in 2009 was extremely proactive in raising the issue of secret evidence use, through hosting a parliamentary meeting and raising an Early Day Motion in the Commons.

The event will be chaired by Peter Oborne, the Daily Telegraph's chief political commentator, television reporter for Dispatches and author of The Rise of Political Lying and The Triumph of the Political Class.

EVENT DETAILS:
What:     Launch of Ricin: The Inside Story of the Terror Plot That Never Was
When:  Thursday 27January
Time:     6.30pm for 7pm start
Where: Amnesty International Human Rights Action Centre, London EC2A 3EA

The event is free but booking is essential. Book now