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In 1984 Hilda Murrell, a 78-year-old distinguished rose-grower turned anti-nuclear campaigner, was found brutally murdered outside her home town of Shrewsbury, England. The case became one of the biggest, most bizarre and baffling British murders of the 20th century involving political conspiracies surrounding the nuclear industry and the Falklands War.
After a cold case review, in 2005 Andrew George, who was a 16-year-old petty thief from a foster home, was convicted. However, Hilda’s nephew, former British Navy Commander Robert Green, has now published a book ‘A Thorn In Their Side: The Hilda Murrell Murder‘ with Rata Books, about his pursuit of the truth, in which he reveals fresh evidence which almost certainly would acquit George.
REVIEWS OF ‘A THORN IN THEIR SIDE’
“The former Royal Naval commander in charge of nuclear weapons , and his prominent Kiwi peace campaigner wife, blow the lid off this and many other British security scandals in an explosive tell-all book printed up in complete secrecy at the dead of night by their Masterton publisher…it is a gripping read. Something to rival le Carre or Fleming.” - THE PRESS – Saturday 8th October 2011
“This is a tale of mystery and intrigue which touches all our lives. Carefully researched and lovingly told, you cannot remain unmoved. The questions come thick and fast. There is always another stone to be overturned. Far more than a ‘who dunnit’, it is also a ‘why’ and ‘what dunnit’. Echoes of the death of David Kelly. It is a story which uncovers the life-threatening risks that have to be endured by a few for the many who ‘dare not speak’. - Michael Mansfield QC
The Source Documents page on this website contains a list of other anti-nuclear campaigners who were killed or intimidated because they were trying to get information to Rob Green about the murder, or they spoke out about contentious nuclear issues. There are links to scans of the original documents referred to in the book, including the death threats and the suppressed 1985 Northumbria Police report on their review of the handling of the case by West Mercia Police.
The History page on this website outlines the ‘The Belgrano Connection’, ‘The Nuclear Motive’ and a link to the ‘An Ordinary Citizen’s View of Radioactive Waste Management’ paper which Hilda was going to present at the first public inquiry into a new nuclear power plant in Britain, at Sizewell.
Marian Joy Harland said
Incredible book: gripping, courageous, and very timely. I have a waiting list of people here wanting to read it, and I am sending the link to others back in NZ. love and thankyou, M J H .
Jenny Snadden said
Here in NZ in 1985 the Greenpeace protest vessel Rainbow Warrior was blown up and a crew member murdered in our own waters by French secret agents under orders to discourage us from protesting against their country’s nuclear testing in the South Pacific. I am reading this book with similar dismay at the apparently limitless reach of (in this case) the British state to squash such dissent. The fragility of democracies in the face of such power is very dispiriting, but a book like this bravely continues the battle to get information out there, and is also a heartfelt message to the author’s beloved aunt that she has not died in vain. Thank you Rob Green. JS.
Marian Joy Harland said
Now it seems that the Hilda Murrell story fits into a hugely wider context.
See: http://nuclearcrimes.org/toc.php.
Also the documentary “Thrive”.
with love, MJH
Nel Listet said
Unless people who know what happened in this
and in numerous other State sanctioned murders,
keep researching, shouting, writing and reporting
the Truth, our ‘freedom’, ‘democracy’ and society
Degenerate and become worthless.
Nel. (London)
Nigel Chamberlain said
Extremely well researched and meticulously analysed. Difficult to follow for readers without some background understanding. Chilling for those of us with relevant memories of the times. Disturbing to think such collusion could have happened and such ineptitude be covered up. Incredible that the police settled for the prosecution and conviction thus achieved. Implications for the truth coming out, eventually, hardly bear thinking about but the effort to achieve that objective is deserving of wider support. Amazed at the author’s fortitude and tenacity. More than ably supported in bringing these revelations to publication by the skills and determination of the author’s wife and collaborator.
Nigel Chamberlain
Cumbria, UK
Sue Cook said
I heard the fascinating interview you gave to Litopia. I was presenting Crimewatch back in 1984 and Hilda Murrell’s murder was one of the first cases we ever appealed for the public’s help with. I’ve always felt certain there was a huge amount more to her murder than met the eye. I am now going to buy your book and look forward to finding out whether some of my theories were right or not.
Sue Cook
Jean Sims said
I read this book last November and was moved by the story. I was pleased to see several copies on the counter at Pennys, Chartwell Square, Hamilton this afternoon and have been thinking about it ever since. I plan to go back tomorrow and buy a copy for a grandson who will find it a gripping read.
Nel Lister said
We must ALL support Cmmdr.Green in his campaign
for justice and the truth about his aunt’s death.
And remember too, there’s a man serving a prison
sentence for something he did NOT do!
State sanctioned murder is a fact; Nairac, Murrell,
Kelly – just a tip of the iceberg.If we don’t demand,
question, research and support, we are complicit
in these crimes against whistleblowers.
The Media don’t engage in conspiracy theories
any more.Perhaps Nick Davies (Paul Foot Award
for Journalism winner) could look at this?
Duncan Campbell, David Rose, – the true investigative
journalists of the 80′s seem to have cosied up
to the banking scandals etc.
Teddy Taylor, Kevin McNamara, Tony Benn – good
men and MP’s who used to stand up and speak out,
Do not have their equal in either House nowadays.
Justice is perverted.The State still persecutes those
who speak up.
But speak up we must!
Kristine Taylor said
Unbelievable to kill an old woman who had the courage and the right to be heard. Shame on the Government and shame for sentencing an innocent man to life. We complain about injustice in places like Iraq, Iran, Somalia but this murder is probably only the tip of the iceberg at home.
Kris
Averil Wood said
I fear you are right and we may, at this moment be hearing about the possibility of another death that may well be by the same perpetrators. How dare we go demanding Democracy has to be ‘imposed’ on other Nations when we are only paying lip service to it. ?
Wonderful book Rob, I dont know how you find the heart to continue your research in the face of such bullying opposition.
Best Wishes, Averil