MI5 Monitored Arthur Scargill During Strike

LABOUR Prime Minister James Callaghan called for Arthur Scargill to be “warned off” after he led a series of mass pickets in the infamous Grunwick dispute, according to the official papers made public today.

Files suggest that the Yorkshire miners leader was monitored by MI5.

Jack Dromey, now the Labour Party treasurer and husband of deputy party leader Harriet Harman, who was a key union organiser in the dispute, may also have been monitored.

The long-running Grunwick dispute broke out after the north London film processing firm sacked workers for joining the Apex trade union, which the firm’s owner, George Ward, refused to recognise.

On June 26, 1977, Mr Callaghan told ministers that they were “not dealing with respectable unionismbut rent a mob”.

“If things continue on the present basis there could well be fatalities and in circumstances which might be in danger of bringing the Government down,” he warned.

Mr Callaghan was particularly concerned about the activities of Mr Scargill who was organising thousands of miners to join the pickets.

On July 5, he instructed officials: “Keep me informed about Scargill’s movements. He may have to be warned off.”

TONY BENN had to stage a humiliating climbdown after backing calls for an emergency meeting of the national executive to discuss a pact deal struck with the Liberals.

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