Oldham Conservatives hit out after Elbit factory roof protest

Activists arrived at the Greenacre Road site before 6am yesterday and two protesters climbed onto the roof and a woman was seen chained to the ground next to a caravan.

Police and firefighters then spent hours at the Israeli-owned factory to deal with the protest, which was the latest action in its campaign to shut the site down.

It is alleged that the company make weapons for Israel, which have been accused of using the arms in attacks on the West Bank and Gaza Strip, killing many Palestinians.

As The Oldham Times went to press yesterday, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said two women were arrested on suspicion of aggravated trespass, criminal damage and obstruction of a highway.

The road was reopened at around 8.15pm.

READ > Greenacres Road closed due to 'police incident'

The two protesters on the roof

A protester chained on the ground outside the factory yesterday

Only two months ago, three men were arrested in another incident when protesters climbed onto the roof.

Following the latest protest, the Oldham Conservatives have criticised the council, Oldham East and Saddleworth MP Debbie Abrahams and GMP over the handling of the ongoing protests.

The group has leaped to the defence of Elbit, "condemning" the protest.

On Monday morning, an Oldham and Saddleworth Conservatives spokesman on social media said: "This is beyond ridiculous.

"The council leadership and GMP have been told several times to get a grip of the situation by residents in Oldham.

"This is yet another attack on a business which brings skilled jobs to a town so desperately in need of them.

"It sends the wrong message to businesses already in Oldham and up and down the land who may want to invest in Oldham.

"The right to protest peacefully is enshrined in law, the right to destroy property however is a criminal act. We condemn such violence.

"The MP of Oldham East and Saddleworth (Debbie Abrahams) has stayed quiet for far too long on this and she needs join us in standing up for the workers of this factory who have the right to work in a safe and secure environment.

"Under Avro at South Chadderton the defence industry built the planes that saved Britain from national socialism in World War II.

"Chadderton rightly honours this fact on town border signs as being the home of the Lancaster bomber.

"Oldham and Ferranti/Elbit have a long history together.

"Employing local people in a skilled and technical industry.

"The Ministry of Defence is one of many contracts."

Protesters on the roof of the Elbit Ferranti factory in Waterhead yesterday morning

Ms Abrahams has hit back at the Conservatives and said she does not support "any unlawful action".

She said: “As I have consistently said on this subject, people have a right to peacefully protest for the things they believe in.

“However any unlawful action or racist behaviour is unacceptable and I will always call this out.

“Peaceful protest is an essential part of our democracy.

"This includes being able to question defence decisions and spending by the UK government particularly where the use of sales of arms leads to human rights abuses or breaks international law.

“Arms sales from the UK by any company, regardless of its ownership, are regulated by the UK government.

"I believe that the UK government should apply its own export controls policy, and end arms sales to Saudi Arabia, Israel, and all other regimes committing war crimes and other systematic human rights abuses.

“The UK’s own export licensing criteria dictate that arms exports should not be approved if there is a risk they will be used for internal repression, provoking or prolonging conflict, asserting territorial claims, or violations of human rights.

“If these criteria were applied, it would result in a de facto arms embargo on Saudi Arabia, Israel, and other countries that are known to be systematically violating international law.

“I have written to government ministers on this issue many times urging them to properly implement their export licensing criteria.

“The Ministry of Defence has confirmed Elbit has won a £102m weapon 'sensor to shoot' technology contract with the British Army and that this will sustain more than 500 jobs across the UK, approximately 30 of which are my Oldham East and Saddleworth constituency.

"I believe that skilled jobs in our area are important.

“However, if Elbit Ferranti wished to diversify these advanced engineering and technology skills away from the arms sector to, for example, the development of green technologies, I would be delighted.

“There is a limit to action that can be taken against any company operating within UK law.”

Protesters near the Elbit Ferranti factory on Greenacrew Road in Waterhead yesterday

Yesterday afternoon, a council spokesman added: “This is an ongoing police incident at a privately owned site.

"Oldham Council staff have not been involved.

“We have supported colleagues from GMP at previous protests when called on and we’ll continue to offer help if, and when, required.”

Chief Inspector Gareth Firth from GMP's Oldham District said: “GMP develops proportionate policing plans for protests, working with communities and engaging with those taking part wherever possible. 

“We will facilitate peaceful protest but will also challenge those acting unlawfully.

"Our officers continue to monitor protests, and help maintain the safety of all involved, pro-actively policing the weekly protests at Elbit.

“As demonstrated yesterday at Elbit, we react swiftly to incidents of criminality when required.

"In the main, the weekly protests remain peaceful, we will continue to attend and support as required.”

Elbit declined to comment about the protest yesterday.