Launch of the Crispin Aubrey Archive on the ABC Official Secrets case

On Thursday 28 March 2019 the Crispin Aubrey Archive on the ABC case is being launched by Crispin Aubrey Legacy Fund and Statewatch

At: May Day Rooms, 88 Fleet Street, London, EC4Y 1DH

Time: 18.00 20.00

On Friday 18 February 1977 John Berry ex-soldier who had worked for SIGINT in Cyprus met two journalists Crispin Aubrey and Duncan Campbell. from Time Out magazine at his home. When Crispiin and Duncan left the flat all three were arrested by the Special  Branch under the Official Secrets Act. The Special Branch had placed under surveillance the National Council of Civil Liberties (NCCCL, now Liberty) - after they got a letter from John Berry - and the Time Out magazine newsroom.

This seminal case eventually led to the reform Section 2 of the Act. Their trial lasted for nearly two years. The defendants and supporters were regularly followed by the Special Branch, those demonstrating were photographed and the car of the Treasurer of the Agee-Hosenball Defence Campaign was broken into twice. 

Crispin wrote in his book "Who's watching you" (Penguin 1981) on the verdicts and sentences:

"Our sentences were about as mild as we could ever have expected. Against a maximum sentence of 2 years in prison under Section 2 John Berry was given a suspended sentence of six months. Duncan and myself  received conditional discharges, the equivalent of a rap over the knuckles."
John Berry said at a press conference after the trial:

"This whole affair will not stop here.  Far be it for me to incite people, but I don't think anyone is going to be discouraged by this case. We have won a battle and the war will go on. The ABC .trial has marginally exposed the secret state within a state.There were powerful agencies behind this prosecution and they are not responsible to anyone" (Guardian,18.11.78)

The Archive is held in the Statewatch office and comprises three filing cabinet drawers with 73 files containing voluminous cuttings, trial statements and documents, plus posters and the activities of both of the ABC Defence Committee and the preceding Agee-Hosenball Defence Committee (they were both deported from the UK just before the ABC arrests) . Plus highly detailed files on the background to the case eg: SIGINT and the trial of Peace News/NUJ/ Leveller  for naming Colonel “B”  who gave evidence at the trial.

You can access online the ABC case Collection at:https://statewatch.omeka.net/ 
The Speakers are: 

Welcome and Chair  - Ann Singleton, Co-Chair Statewatch 
Kate Aubrey (CALF) 
Duncan Campbell – ABC
John Berry - ABC  
Tony Bunyan (Statewatch, ABC Defence Campaign)  
Rajiv Menon QC (Barrister, Garden Court Chambers)  
Zak Suffee (Library volunteer)  
Richard Norton-Taylor (Writer on Defence and Security - Guardian)
 
It is hoped the event will stimulate researchers and activists to visit the Archive in order that the lessons of the ABC case and can inform present struggles for openness and against official secrecy.

If you would like to come please send an email with 
Crispin’s ABC Archive Launch in the subject line to:office@statewatch.org
We look forward to seeing you!