MI5 was involved in 1972 conviction of trade unionists, court told

Higher echelons of the state' allegedly helped get striking workers including Ricky Tomlinson convicted

Three government departments including the Security Service, MI5, collaborated to help convict a group of construction workers who had gone on strike to try to improve their pay and safety measures, the appeal court has heard.

Lawyers for the 14 trade unionists, including the actor Ricky Tomlinson, told the court that the higher echelons of the state" were responsible for helping to get them unfairly convicted for offences arising out of a strike 47 years ago.