The Cambridge Two Campaign official site

Appeal

Appeal Verdict
Thursday 21st December 2000

The Royal Court of Appeal has delivered its verdict. The judges have upheld the convictions against the Cambridge Two.

On Thursday 21st December 2000 at the Royal Courts of Justice in The Strand, Ruth Wyner and John Brock, the two Cambridge charity workers convicted of 'knowingly' allowing drugs to be traded at their day centre for the homeless, were told that their convictions had not been overturned. The three appeal court judges decided to substantially reduce their sentences which means that Ruth and John will not be returning to prison, however their names have not been cleared.

Click here to read more about the Court of Appeal verdict

High Court Appeal
1st December 2000

Ruth Wyner and John Brock attended the High Court in the Strand on Friday 1st December 2000 for the appeal against their convictions. Lord Justice Rose, who chaired the hearing on July 11th was presiding.

Lord Justice Rose said that he and the two other judges, Mr Justice Longmore and Mr Justice Ouseley wanted to take time to consider their decision. He added that the sentances were "far too long" and that they were "not minded to send the appellants back to prison".

The Royal Court of Appeal will deliver its verdict on the conviction appeals of Ruth Wyner and John Brock, on December 21st.

Click here to read Ruth Wyner's comments following the December 1st appeal

Tuesday 11th July 2000

Free at last - Ruth and John are released on bail after Court of Appeal hearing.

On 11th July 2000, the Royal Court of Appeal in London heard Ruth Wyner and John Brock's second application for leave to appeal against conviction.

The first application for leave to appeal in January, before Judge Richards, resulted in:

a) leave to appeal against sentence being granted
b) leave to appeal against conviction being refused
c) bail pending appeal being refused

John and Ruth then had a choice. They could apply immediately for the appeal against sentence to be heard, or try again to win leave to appeal against conviction, this time in front of three judges. Both decided it was better to risk staying in prison longer and fight the convictions.

Michael Mansfield QC, who represented the Lawrence family in the Steven Lawrence case, agreed to represent Ruth and John pro bono.

The July 11th hearing was unusual in a number of ways. First, a whole day had been set aside for the case, yet a leave to appeal hearing usually lasts only about an hour. Second, the prosecution lawyer was invited to attend; but usually the only time the prosecution lawyer appears at the Court of Appeal is for an actual appeal against conviction, not the preliminary leave to appeal hearing. Third, John and Ruth were also present. They were not present at the leave to appeal hearing in January.

This led to speculation that, if leave to appeal against conviction were granted, the court would go on to hear the full appeal the same day, and if the appeal were successful, it could mean that Ruth and John would be released on the day of the hearing.

If Michael Mansfield loses, then the next step is the House of Lords or Europe, both of which take many years.

To the obvious relief of Ruth, John, their families and supporters, leave was given for an appeal against their convictions, which is expected to take place in October 2000.

____

Supporters and the media gathered at the Royal Courts of Justice in The Strand on Tuesday 11th July 2000 to show support for and await the outcome of the second hearing for leave to appeal against the convictions of Ruth Wyner and John Brock, convictions which so far had seen them endure 208 days of imprisonment out of their five and four year sentences.

At the hearing Ruth and John were represented by the eminent barrister, Michael Mansfield QC who put their application for leave to appeal before Lord Justice Rose, Vice President of the Court of Appeal, Criminal Division, Mr Justice Holman and Mr Justice Moses.

The hearing, before a court packed with family, friends and supporters was detailed and protracted, and it became clear by lunch time that, if leave to appeal against conviction were to be granted, the appeal would not be heard that afternoon as had been hoped. At approximately 1.00pm when Michael Mansfield was concluding, it became apparent that there was a distinct possibility that Ruth and John could be returning to prison that afternoon.

The atmosphere quickly changed in the court room when, following his response to the appeal application, which allowed Ruth and John leave to appeal against their convictions, Lord Justice Rose invited Michael Mansfield to offer any further applications. The application for bail was made, and granted, and a cheer rang through the courtroom. Ruth and John were going home.

A gathering of the media waited outside the entrance to the Royal courts in expectation of Ruth and John's triumphant exit. It was some time later however, when, formalities finally over and done with, they walked down the front steps of the building to loud applause.

The appeal is expected to take place in October, and the Court of Appeal has warned Ruth and John that they might have to return to prison if their challenge to their convictions is unsuccessful. The campaign will, of course continue and, if anything gather pace, so please continue to show your support for Ruth and John in whatever way you can. Please continue to visit this web site for the latest Campaign news, messages from Ruth and John and the appeal date announcement when it is made known.

The appeal is expected to take place in September/October 2000, and the Court of Appeal has warned Ruth and John that they might have to return to prison if their challenge to their convictions is unsuccessful.

The campaign will, of course continue and, if anything gather pace, so please continue to show your support for Ruth and John in whatever way you can.

Ruth Wyner has written to supporters of the Cambridge Two Campaign web site following her release from prison.
Please click here for more details