Ricky Tomlinson’s criminal conviction, which led to him being jailed for two years, is finally to be re-examined.
The Criminal Cases Review Commission asked the Court of Appeal to review his case.
In December, 1973, the actor was found guilty of unlawful assembly, affray and conspiracy at Shrewsbury crown court.
He had taken part in the first national building workers’ strike, in 1972, to improve wages and safety regimes on sites.
He and the late Des Warren were a part of a group who became known as The Shrewsbury 24.
Ex-plasterer Tomlinson, 80, told the Guardian it was “good news” and an opportunity to prove the prosecution was politically motivated and tried to suppress trade unionists.
Central to the case will be TV documentary Red Under the Bed, which was aired during the trial and is alleged to have influenced the jury.
Ricky has said the film was “written, made and paid for by the security services” and documents found in the National Archives appear to confirm this.
Ricky, 80, said: “I am confident our names will be cleared now.”
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