Now that the brouhaha is dying down I want to thank everyone who has posted such supportive comments on RAWK, who have emailed me directly and all who put #philscraton at the top of the twitter league table for a few hours!!!! (I don't do twitter but the messages got through) It looks pretty certain that the nomination came from within the Home Office and it was only when the full list was announced that I understood why. I 'went public' when I realised my nomination was about to be leaked. I'm concerned about the timing of all this given that the PCA and criminal investigations are yet to be completed ... why now?
As I said last week, it would have been hypocritical in the extreme to accept any honour on the recommendation of those in power who for so long remained silent and obstructive in the face of an honourable, committed and dignified campaign by bereaved families and survivors. Way back in 1997 Stuart-Smith singled me out for particular criticism in a profoundly flawed report that offered nothing to families and survivors but further pain and frustration.
Political ambivalence imposed a delay stretching over two decades which saw many others, including good friends, pass away prematurely, suffer serious illness and profound depression as they shouldered the burden of prolonged injustice. While the general public knows that 96 men, women and children died at Hillsborough it never crosses their minds that many more have died as a direct consequence of illnesses brought on by their suffering. People who tell families and survivors to 'move on' or to seek 'closure' have no idea of the depth of that suffering.
I've mentioned elsewhere that I consider the honours system a divisive, secretive and outdated form of patronage linked directly in name to the notion of 'Empire' and its imperialist history. If people's social, medical and community achievements are to be recognised then patronage, including canvassing for honours, must be ended. My position in no way should be taken as a criticism of those who publicly state their acceptance of awards on behalf of others rather than themselves.
I will be forever grateful for the warmth and support I have received - including the remarkable banner - but at the end of the day, along with others who have worked tirelessly and selflessly down the years, I have simply used whatever limited skills I have to pursue justice.
