Police planned 'dirty war' against animal rights activist accused of terror campaign, court told

November 5, 2008

By Daily Mail ReporterLast updated at 7:00 PM on 03rd November 2008

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Animal rights activist Mel Broughton is accused of being involved in a suspected firebombing campaign against an animal testing facility

Police investigating a high-profile animal rights activist accidentally recorded themselves planning to wage a 'dirty war' against him, a jury heard today.

The officers were heard allegedly scheming to bring down Mel Broughton, who is on trial over a suspected firebombing campaign against a controversial animal testing research laboratory.

He said he was not knowingly concerned in the planning or execution of the plot against the multi-million pound facility at Oxford University.

Today his defence barrister, David Bentley, revealed the recording of officers discussing Broughton in early 2007.

He said:''We have been provided with a recording by police officers, unaware they were recording.

'Included in that were a couple of officers who were talking about you (Broughton) in a disparaging fashion, who were discussing candidly ways to, as it were, 'get you' in some way or another.

'One was recorded as saying that he would wage a "dirty war".'

Broughton said the recording had caused him great concern, as the tone went far beyond any possible harassment he might have expected.

He told the court that whenever he went to Oxford, his every move was recorded by police officers, from joining a protest to sitting in a coffee shop.

Taking to the witness box during his trial, the veteran of numerous campaigns and demonstrations admitted he had previously been part of a firebomb plot.

Despite this he said he had moved on and that he was now too old, too high profile and no longer willing to take part in direct action.

Broughton faces charges of conspiracy to commit arson, possession of an article to damage property and keeping explosive substances.

The case related to failed firebomb attacks on the laboratory in South Parks Road, Oxford, in which the prosecution said the 48-year-old defendant was directly involved.

Forensic experts said Broughton's DNA was found on a bottle top and a match found at the scene.

Prosecutor John Price also told the jury of seven men and five women that when police raided the defendant's home, they found incriminating evidence.

This included sparklers - which can be used as fuses on improvised explosive devices - hidden in an old water tank in the shared bathroom.

Today, the defendant spoke frankly of his past as an animal rights activist and the campaign group - SPEAK - which he founded and ran.

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He also admitted being stopped with fellow campaigners in a car in the late 1990s, when police found firebombs.

Mr Bentley said: 'In the year 2000 you pleaded guilty to conspiring with another to cause an explosion of a nature likely to endanger life and cause injury to property. As a result you were sentenced to four years' imprisonment.

'I was,' Broughton replied, explaining that the conspirators had been on their way to destroy livestock transporter lorries to prevent the shipment of live animals to and from the continent.

He admitted his involvement and said in his subsequent high-profile media role, promoting animal rights campaigning, he never tried to hide his criminal past, nor did he feel he could criticise anyone else involved in direct action.

'It would be very hypocritical of me, having done that in the past, to condemn other people for having those feelings," he said.

Yet he stressed his direct action finished years ago and he was not connected with the later plot.

He told the jury: 'I have not knowingly been involved with anything to do with these devices.

'It (direct action) is something I am no longer willing to do.'

'Philosophically I have always understood why people take direct action for animals but I'm now so outspoken and I'm getting older and I am no longer able or willing to do that anymore.'

Broughton said he would regularly have visits from fellow campaigners to his house in Semilong Road, Northampton, where smokers would often leave behind or pick up boxes of matches.

'If the jury was satisfied that it was your DNA (on the match), could you assist in how it could have come about," asked Mr Bentley.

'The only way I could think is if someone came and took those matches," Broughton replied.

He added: "Some people (in SPEAK) are 100 per cent supportive of direct action and others are 100 per cent against and you have got every shade of opinion in between. You never know.'

Mr Bentley asked: 'Would you ever know if anybody visiting your premises was involved with direct action?'

The defendant replied: 'No. I would never ask.'

He explained the hidden sparklers by saying he had bought them as an eye-catching addition for a night-time vigil outside the controversial lab, saying that intensive police surveillance and his criminal record had made him paranoid and caused him to conceal them.

The trial, at Oxford Crown Court, was adjourned until tomorrow.