The lawyers for the working miners said such words were worthless. The lawyers said the Union had embarked on a concerted course of action to hide its funds –
From Sheffield to the Isle of Man. From the Isle of Man to Dublin –
From Dublin to New York. From New York to Zurich –
From Zurich to Luxembourg.
The lawyers said the Union did not recognize the court. The Union had not purged its contempt. The Union continued to be in serious and deliberate contempt of orders, which placed the funds they held on behalf of their members in jeopardy.
The lawyers said the Union, including the President, were not to be trusted –
Especially the President.
The High Court agreed. The High Court asked for the word of the President.
The President was not in court.
Terry and Paul asked for a ten-minute adjournment. Terry and Paul rushed out to the phones. Terry and Paul called Sheffield. Terry and Paul asked for the President –
The President was not in Sheffield. The President was travelling to London –
The President could not be reached.
Terry and Paul went back before the High Court. Terry and Paul told the judge that the President was on his way to the court. Terry and Paul asked for an adjournment until tomorrow. Terry and Paul said that then the President would appear.
The High Court did not agree. The High Court rejected their appeal –
The appointment of Mr Booker as receiver stood –
Mr Booker held the purse strings now. Mr Booker was the boss.
Mr Booker left for Luxembourg –
Immediately.
Paul took a taxi to Congress House to wait for the President and brief the TUC Terry took a taxi to sit at a table in the bar at the County and pray –
Pray for miracles. Pray for resurrection. Pray for redemption –
Terry closed his eyes. Terry bowed his head. Terry said his prayers.
‘Your lips are moving again, Comrade.’
Terry opened his eyes. Terry looked up. Terry crossed himself.
Bill Reed sat down. Bill Reed put an envelope on the table.
Terry looked at the envelope. Terry looked at Bill. Terry said another prayer.
Bill tapped the envelope. Bill winked. Bill said, ‘Gotcha.’
Terry picked up the envelope. Terry opened it. Terry took out the contents –
‘Hubert Harold Booker, come on down,’ laughed Bill Reed. ‘Because, tonight, this is your life.’
Terry read the contents. Terry was amazed. Terry looked at Bill –
Bill looked at his watch. Bill said, ‘The President’s train is just arriving.’
‘This is dynamite,’ said Terry. ‘You must take it to the President, Comrade.’
Bill shook his head. Bill said, ‘The Fourth Estate have copies. That’s enough.’
‘But the President should know what you have done for him,’ said Terry.
Bill shook his head again. Bill said, ‘The President doesn’t need to know.’
‘But you would be forgiven,’ said Terry. ‘Your friendship restored.’
Bill stood up. Bill said, ‘Secret loves are best kept secret, don’t you think?’
Terry looked down at the table. The marks and the scars in the wood.
Bill Reed put his hand on Terry’s shoulder. Bill Reed said, ‘You go to him.’
And Terry went to him. Terry ran to him. Terry met with him —
The President, Terry and all the President’s men met with the TUC for six hours. The President asked the TUC to take out leases on all the Union’s property. The President asked the TUC to pay the wages of all the Union’s employees –
The TUC said they would need legal advice. The TUC were worried they would be held in contempt for assisting the National Union of Mineworkers –
The President shook his head. The President rolled his eyes.
The President and all the President’s men met the National Executive Committee. The NEC voted eleven to six to recommend that the Union’s cash be brought back to Britain, bringing the Union back into compliance with the law –
The President had supported the recommendation –
Terry was amazed. Terry was anxious —
The NEC were recommending to the Special Delegate Conference that the Union pay the £200,000 fine for contempt and obey all future court actions –
That there could be no disciplinary measures against scabs –
That they would have to hold a national ballot, if the court so decreed –
That the strike was unofficial –
Terry was appalled. Terry was afraid.
The meeting broke up in the small hours. Len drove the President and the ladies back to the Barbican. Terry and Paul walked back up to the County –
They took different routes.
Mr Verloc had messages waiting. Mr Verloc asked for an early morning alarm call and for The Times, the Telegraph, the Guardian, the Mirror and the Morning Star.
Mr Verloc did not sleep. Mr Verloc did not need his alarm call –
Mr Verloc read the headlines. Mr Verloc read the stories –
Hubert Harold Booker was vice-president of a Derbyshire Conservative Association. Hubert Harold Booker was an ex-Tory councillor. Hubert Harold Booker was a member of the Institute of Directors –
Hubert Harold Booker was also in for a shock and the sack.
Mr Verloc ate breakfast alone with half a smile and a slice of toast.
Terry Winters walked up to Congress House for the Special Delegate Conference. The President had called the delegates to discuss the legal assault upon the NUM –
To debate the three options. To decide on the best course to take.
‘Comrades, we will win this strike because the issue is right,’ said the President. ‘No matter what actions are taken against the NUM or its officers, it will not deter people in this Union who fight for what they know to be right: the right to work.’
The two hundred and twenty delegates applauded their president.
The President sat down. Paul then stood up and outlined the options –
‘The Union could ignore the courts. The Union could take no action whatsoever. The Union could recognize the supremacy of the High Court and thus purge its contempt; pay its fine, but gain the release of its funds.’
The two hundred and twenty delegates argued. The delegates squabbled and spat. The two hundred and twenty delegates fought. They bickered and they brawled –
Terry got a message from Mike in Luxembourg. Terry went to the phone –
‘Comrade, the bank have refused Booker admittance,’ Mike Sullivan told Terry. ‘The bank won’t hand over any money to any third party without a local court order. Booker is going to have to go to court here in Luxembourg to establish the validity of their claim. The plan’s worked!’
‘Of course,’ said Terry. ‘Didn’t I say it would?’
Terry hung up. Terry went back inside the conference to break the good news –
‘Good news, Comrades,’ shouted Terry. ‘The receiver has been defeated.’
There was applause for Terry Winters. There were accolades for Terry Winters –
The two hundred and twenty special delegates voted 139 to 80 to reject the moderate recommendation of the National Executive to bring their bacon back home to Britain. The money was to stay right where it was –
In the more than capable hands of their Comrade Chief Executive –
Terry Winters was absolved. Terry Winters was astonished.
The Kalamares in Inverness Mews, the Capannina on Romilly Street, the Scandia Roomin the Piccadilly Hotel, the Icelandic Steakhouse on Haymarket—