South Down 32 CSM condemn latest approach by Special Branch/MI5

32 County Sovereignty Movement (South Down)
14/09/2010

South Down 32CSM condemn approach by Special Branch/MI5.

The 32 CSM in South Down condemn an attempt to recruit one of its members by the British security services while he was going on a family holiday at the beginning of this month (September).
The member, a former Long Kesh POW, was in Belfast International Airport with his daughter and granddaughter waiting to board a flight to an Eastern European destination when he was approached by someone who identified himself as security. He was then taken to a room where two other men were present and told he had to fill out a form, he asked what it was all about and told he was being detained under section 7 of the terrorism act. At the same time his daughter and granddaughter were held in a separate room and quizzed about the man's movements and asked her would he be leaving her at any stage when on holidays to meet up with ‘friends’.
The British security agents stated that they wanted to have a word with the 32 CSM member about the ‘political situation’ and told him he was in a position to help them understand what it was republicans were about, they also told him they knew all about his friends and accomplices and what ‘organisation’ he belonged to, they then told him that they could set him up for life financially and could give him anything he wanted if he would talk to them, the man told them he had no intention of talking about the political situation to anyone least of all them and asked if he was under arrest, then he got up and left the room refusing a card they tried to offer them and went to find his daughter and granddaughter who were upset and shaken at being detained and interrogated.
The 32 CSM in South Down condemn this incident, the latest in a series of attempts by the British to entice or coerce republicans or their friends and families in the South Down area. We urge republicans and their families to remain vigilant and to report any approaches to another party as soon as possible.