Trial and Error
By Robert Kee
On the 19th of October 1989 the Guildford Four were released after fifteen years’ imprisonment. In this astonishing book, Robert Kee exposes a dreadful miscarriage of justice.
The trials of the Guildford Four and the Maguire Seven reveal a grim story of prejudice and cynicism in British courts, police complicity and the scandal of ‘induced’ confessions. Despite continual protestations of innocence, at the time Trial and Error was first published the Maguires remained convicted of the charges brought against them (the verdicts were subsequently quashed).
Trial and Error was the first book to expose the full extent of the corruption and injustice that shook the United Kingdom. It is a highly intelligent, meticulously researched and comprehensively written work, and a must-read for all interested in matters of history, politics and justice.
Praise for Trial and Error:
‘A classic of its genre… he deserves a substantial share of the credit for the vindication of the Guildford Four, intolerably late though it was. Can miscarriage of justice be eliminated? Not entirely, because we are human and fallible. But much can be done to improve the system if we will’ – Lord Scarman, October 1989
‘When first published in 1986, this penetrating book … played a significant part in the development of the campaign to establish whether or not these convictions were safe or satisfactory. Many people have a good reason to be grateful to Robert Kee for his careful and painstaking research’ – Cardinal Basil Hume, October 1989
‘A very fine job indeed, both for justice and journalism’ – Independent
‘Comprehensive and disturbing reassessment’ – Ludovic Kennedy in the Spectator
‘Continues that tradition of journalists who are prepared to fight for justice where injustice has been done and in doing so preserve the very fabric of justice itself’ – Sunday Times
‘This sensitive, thorough and compassionate book’ – Irish Times
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