FRFI received the following email from Jim Simpkin, Newcastle TUC Secretary on 21 May 2013:
Dear Sir
It is with deep regret that I have to raise this matter at a national level but your members in Newcastle upon Tyne are using your website to continual attack local trade Unionist in the days prior to an EDL march in the City.
If you do not remove these offensive articles submitted by Newcastle FRFI by close of business today, then further action will have to be taken.
Articles dated: 7th, 15th & 19th May 2013
MAY I ALSO SUGGEST THAT YOU REVOKE ACCESS TO UPDATE YOUR WEBSITE TO ALL IN THE NEWCASTLE AREA? IF THE ATTACKS CONTINUE THAN YOUR ORGANISATION WILL BE LIABLE DUE TO YOUR NEGLICENCE.
Yours Fraternally
Jim Simpkin, Secretary
Newcastle upon Tyne TUC
The reports referred to by Jim Simpkin describe the use of bullying, threats and actual violence against FRFI supporters involving SWP district organiser Yunus Bakhsh, Jim Simpkin himself and Labour councillor Dipu Ahad in the lead up to the EDL march in Newcastle.
Simpkin does not challenge the facts included in these reports, instead he issues threats. We believe that socialists resolve political and organisational differences through discussion and exchange of views, not by intimidation. Threats are more commonly associated with the EDL than with the socialist movement. FRFI welcomes contributions from the named individuals and others on the issues surrounding the EDL march and will be happy to publish them. We do not, however, intend to silence our members and supporters in response to such intimidation.
FRFI Editorial Board
22 May 2013
Related articles:
SWP and Newcastle TUC: sexist thugs defend Labour, 7 May 2013
