A FORMER shipyard worker jailed more than 20 years ago after an industrial dispute has launched an e-petition in a bid to have the Government release documents about the case.
Eddie Marnell, 64, from Liverpool was one of 37 men who spent up to a month in jail in 1984 after being arrested at the Cammell Laird yard in Wirral during the dispute over jobs.
Mr Marnell said he believes they were targeted with harsh treatment to put off others involved in industrial action.
The men have been campaigning ever since to clear their names and win compensation, arguing that they were jailed unlawfully.
They had occupied part of the Cammell Laird site including a gas rig under construction, and were sentenced to jail in their absence for contempt of court after they defied court orders to leave the rig.
Mr Marnell said they had been “carrying out lawful trade union activity but we were made scapegoats” and insists their convictions were “a political decision”.
He said: “I’ve been fighting for 28 years. We had 37 men jailed and others who were sacked. I think all these people should be compensated.”
