AT the October meeting of Bolton TUC, every single delegate applauded the release of the jailed anti-Fracking campaigners — Simon Blevins, Richard Roberts, and Rich Loizou — after their blatantly unjust jail sentence.

We now await the result of the review of the conflict of interest involving the sentencing judge and his family connections with the gas extraction industry.

It was felt that the huge groundswell of support across the country by campaign groups and trade unions was central to the release of the three, and reflected the anti fracking mood of the majority of the population.

We send our very best wishes and solidarity to the freed three, and look forward to standing alongside them and others in the continuing fight to stop fracking, defend our climate, and campaign for investment in skilled, well paid, unionised climate jobs to build a zero-carbon future.

To this end Bolton TUC has organised a training/discussion day at Bolton Socialist Club on the afternoon of November 24, with the title “Divest - Re-invest”. All welcome.

Tom Hanley

Bolton TUC