Signing against hysteria

HUNDREDS OF people have so far signed the Committee to Defend Asylum Seekers (CDAS) open letter condemning racist hysteria in the press and politicians who encourage it. The signatories include Tony Benn, MPs Jeremy Corbyn and John McDonnell, Labour Party NEC member Christine Shawcroft and Dr Ghayasuddin Siddiqui of the Muslim Parliament.

The entire national executive of the Fire Brigades Union, including general secretary Andy Gilchrist, John Edmonds of the GMB union, Bill Speirs of the Scottish TUC and Mick Rix of Aslef have all signed the statement. Other signatories include Mark Serwotka of the PCS union, Paul Mackney of Natfhe, Billy Hayes of the CWU, Jeremy Dear of the NUJ and film director Ken Loach.

The campaign aims to publish the letter in the national press toward the end of April, at the height of the May election campaign.