FACT AGM and Conference, 10th October 2026
Delegates travelled the length and breadth of the country in order to attend the October AGM and conference, such is their dedication to the work that FACT does and has done for the last 27 years.
Some might hope that the work has become less necessary, but regretfully, it has become more so.
The event was ably introduced by President Harvey Proctor, who gave a powerful and moving précis of his own experience. His empathy and commitment was appreciated by all who heard him.
The business part of the day took place with its usual efficiency, with the Secretary’s, Treasurer’s and Coordinator’s reports taking up much of the morning.
The Secretary, Pat MacDuff, made an eloquent plea for any willing member to offer their services for the committee or Board of Directors – new (and younger) blood is always welcome as no-one currently in post is getting any younger. That call was heard and this space needs to be watched!
The Treasurer, Anne MacMahon, outlined how the finances are, as ever, precarious, with more calls on FACT’s resources than funds or even time make comfortable. She made the general request that anyone who is able, voluntary make a donation on top of their membership fee which is exceptionally modest. A donation box was available for anyone willing to make a contribution to the costs of the conference.
Brian Hudson, the coordinator, spoke of how, much as FACT may hope that the need for their services is decreasing, it is only increasing and he is busier than ever and in actuality working many more hours than those for which he is paid. The decision, taken earlier in the year to close the general helpline has done little to lessen the load as the calls for help have morphed into an increase in emails instead. The distress felt by those falsely accused is ever deep and increasingly widespread.
There followed a very short presentation by Gateway Prisoner Legal Services who appeared by Zoom. They briefly outlined their services, which consist of helping prisoners and their families access their rights from behind bars. Mortgage providers, banks, councils, utility companies and others all can, on occasion need the ‘gravitas’ that a specialist legal provided can bring in order for brick walls to be dismantled.
The first main speaker of the day was a Director of JIMS (Justice for Innocent Men Scotland), Marsha Sturgeon, who together with her colleague Justine, had left home in the small hours of the morning to begin the long journey from to home to arrive in Birmingham in good time. FACT were delighted that they had come to introduce their documentary ‘Don’t Tell The Jury: 274/275’. Marsha gave a short run-down of how JIMS came to be and what they have achieved since their inception in 2025. Their successes and the support they have garnered from top-level legal professionals and the wider public is quite remarkable. The documentary was viewed with rapt attention and provoked a lot of interest, questions, admiration and praise during the breaks when mingling and conversation was possible. Not a few myths were dispelled about the differences and similarities between English and Scottish law, and it became clear that while the law and even the processes are different, the policies and end results are horrifyingly and depressingly similar.
It was at this point that there was a break for lunch and as usual there was much mingling as old friend were greeted and new friendships made.
After lunch, Michael Curran, the editor of FACTnews spoke briefly about his work in that capacity and posited the idea that, in order to reduce costs, the size of the magazine could be reduced. Delegates made clear that they felt it would be better to make a charge for the magazine than to reduce its size and its size and contents are much valued, so things were left as they are for the time being.
Sean Bw Parker, an artist, musician and writer newly released from probation and the restriction to not talk about his conviction, then spoke of his challenge to the CCRC. Working with Dr Michael Naughton of Empowering the Innocent (ETI), they are attempting to highlight and challenge the blatant sexism that allows the CPS to currently treat voluntary intoxicated men and women differently, which sees men prosecuted and convicted for otherwise willing sexual activity when intoxicated women are deemed not to be able to consent, even when that intoxicateion was also voluntary. This is argued to be contrary to the Equality Act, the Human Rights Act and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. More than a few of the delegates had little idea that this was a possibility and were incredulous that it should be the case.
Sean also spoke about ‘Magnolia Grafitti’, a book he wrote during the course of his sentence which was published only a few days after his release from probation restrictions. Both it and his book of poetry ‘Panopticon’ are available on Amazon.
At the end of the afternoon Sean was able to present his portrait of Harvey to the man himself, much to the delight of both.
Following on from Sean, Matthew Scott, the renowned barrister, gave a detailed rundown of the process of and difficulties of finding success in the appeals process. Like everything else in the legal system, money talks, making those with it at an advantage over those who do not and often lawyers need to be taken by the hand through the evidence and trial that resulted in the wrongful conviction. Matthew also had a lot of useful advice to give on the issue of AI, how it is becoming increasingly useful, if used with care and he also spoke of the dangers of relying on it too heavily. Of course, it all brought into stark relief the unhelpfulness of MPs and politicians who blithely advise their constituents to ‘just appeal’ if they are unhappy with a verdict.
Finally there was a short report from Andrew, the solicitor who takes all the legal helpline calls for FACT. Again there is an ever-present need for legal advice and legal direction and Andrew donates his time and expertise without charge, though he will retire in a couple of years’ time. Unfortunately arrangements will need to be put in place to secure a replacement. Hopefully there is another solicitor somewhere who is as sympathetic to the mission of FACT and as generous with their time and expertise as Andrew is.
It is always clear at FACT conferences – and those of other organisations supporting the falsely accused – just how much time, effort, knowledge and experience is donated freely and willingly. The goodwill, kindness, empathy and exchange of knowledge are palpable and priceless.
After a coffee break, a panel was formed for questions and as usual there were more questions than time available.
As the delegates dispersed for home, some, whose journeys were not too lengthy, repaired to a nearby pub to continue their discussions awhile, while others hurried to catch trains or make a head start on the motorways. All in all, it was again, a worthwhile day, with the business of running an organisation concluding its annual obligations, much being learned about how FACT has operated over the last 12 months and even more being learned about how the justice system continues to fail to do right by those who need it.
By Felicity Stryjak
Director, Falsely Accused Database
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