In January 2003, the British media reported that anti-terror police had distrupted an Al-Qaeda cell, poised to unleash the deadly poison ricin. `This danger is present and real, and with us now' announced Prime Minister Tony Blair. But, When the `recin plot' came to trial, a very different story emerged: there was no ricin and no sophisticated plot. Rarely has a legal case been so shamelessly distorted by government, media and security forces to push their own agendas. For the first time, this book tells the inside story of what really happened.
A refreshing insight into how the government and security services shamelessly seized on an alleged conspiracy to promote their `war on terror'. Richard Norton-Taylor, Security Editor of the Guardian
A praiseworthy example of a jury, better placed than anyone else to know what really goes on in our criminal justice system, exposing how injustice occurs when fear of terrorism distorts the objectivity of the prosecution. Sir Geoffrey Bindman, civil liberties solicitor
The innocent suspects in this shocking book live in a world of deep suspicion. This world [ was invented] to justify a war of occupation. ... It is left up to decent men like Lawrence Archer to help pick up the piece of the lives Shattered by this unjust process. Moazzam Begg, Director of Cageprisoners
Gripping!... In telling it like it is, Lawrence Archer and Fiona Bawdon have provided some reparation to the innocent Algerians cought up in one of the UK's most controversial anti-terrorism trials. Liz Flketf, author of A Suitable Enemy (Pluto Press, 2009)
In January 2003, the British media splashed the news that anti-terror police had disrupted an Al-Qaeda cell, poised to unleash the deadly poison ricin on the capital. Police had reportedly found traces of ricin, as well as a panoply of bomb and poison-making equipment in the cell’s "factory of death" -- a shabby flat in north London. "This danger is present and real, and with us now," announced prime minister Tony Blair. But, when the "ricin plot" came to trial at the Old Bailey, a very different story emerged: there was no ricin and no sophisticated plot. Rarely has a legal case been so shamelessly distorted by government, media and security forces to push their own tough on terror agendas. In this meticulously researched and compellingly written book, Lawrence Archer (the jury foreman at the trial) and journalist Fiona Bawdon give the definitive true story of the ricin plot trial and its aftermath.
