Fuel leader receives death threats
6 November 2000
Fuel leader ‘receives death threats’
By FWi staff
A FARMERS leader who is preparing to drive to London in protest at high fuel taxes claims that death threats have been made against his family.
|
Livestock producer Andrew Spence, who farms at Consett, County Durham, said he believed the threats were made because he is a high-profile campaigner.
Mr Spence is the north-east co-ordinator for the Farmers For Action group, which has called for a 26.2ppl reduction in fuel tax.
Farmers and hauliers claim that they are being driven out of business by Britains fuel prices, which are among the highest in Europe.
They is planning a mass protest in London unless Chancellor Gordon Brown cuts fuel tax pre-Budget statement on Wednesday (08 November)
Mr Spence, who was reluctant to talk about the death threats, said the protest was the only chance for farmers to stand up and have their voices heard.
“I am making a personal appeal for support for this industry and, unless we stand together, we wont have an industry to support,” he said.
It remains unclear whether the government will reduce fuel duty. Many of Britains newspapers believe Mr Brown will only freeze tax at current levels.