Wikipedia:Peer review/Death of Blair Peach/archive1

Death of Blair Peach

It's forty years (give or take a few days) that Blair Peach attended the demonstration against the National Front where he received the blow on the head that killed him. This was, in all probability, from one of a possible six Special Patrol Group officers. No-one was ever charged with his death and it is unlikely that the actual culprit will ever be formally identified. While Peach's death was written off by middle England as being that of a left-wing troublemaker, it proved to be one in a series of acts by the Met that has gradually tarnished their image. This article has recently been rewritten and expanded and, just in time for the anniversary of his death, we have something a little more fitting. Any constructive comments and criticisms are most welcome. Cheers – SchroCat (talk) 18:25, 20 April 2019 (UTC)

Comments from Brianboulton

This looks like a very comprehensive article on an event which, sadly, I remember very well. I wasn't at the demonstration, but I was interviewed by the police over the actions of a colleague of mine who was present and was arrested, and gave my name as a character reference! Having declared my interest, here goes with some initial points:

• Final paragraph of "Southall" section, you need to identify and link "Read" - John Kingsley Read, chairman of The NF 1974–75, though he had ceased to be chairman when he made the statement, if he did make it (he was later acquitted in court). Also "led" not "lead".

• Done. He did say it, along with referring to "niggers, wogs and coons": the judge directed to the jury to acquit on freedom of speech grounds, "otherwise we are all caught in a vice of dictatorship, repression and slavery": so much for the Race Relations Act!- SchroCat (talk) 20:27, 21 April 2019 (UTC)

• First para, "23 April 1979" section: You have "run-up" and "run up" in the same paragraph
• "fist van" ? presumably "first van" in 9th para of "23 April 1979" section
• First para of "Coroner's inquest" section: I find the construction "The professor of logic Michael Dummett" ugly. Why not: "Michael Dummett, Wykeham Professor of Logic at Oxford University..." etc
• The words "according to" are redundant in 5th para of "Coroner's inquest"
• 7th para of "Coroner's inquest": delete "it" from "which he wanted to publish it in..." etc
• First para "Subsequent events": Boateng said "the event had happened too long ago for an inquest to be beneficial" Do you mean "public inquiry" rather than "inquest"?
• Same para: the chronology looks odd and could be amended
• "SPG Unit 1–1" section. Suggest revise wording in second paragraph to avoid repetition: " Bint was transferred out of the SPG. Richardson and Freestone were transferred out of the SPG; Scottow and White voluntarily transferred."
• Sources: In the "Internet ans audio visual media" section, the link to "Remembering Blair Peach 30 years on" is dead.

That's all I have for the present. I will look in again if/when the article reaches FAC. Brianboulton (talk) 22:34, 20 April 2019 (UTC)

• Thank you so much Brian, I am very grateful to you. All your points taken on board and addressed, hopefully satisfactorily. Cheers - SchroCat (talk) 20:27, 21 April 2019 (UTC)

Comments from valereee

This is more an FA thing, but FWIW the file File:Southall riots, 23 April 1979.png is the only one that doesn't have an alt text. The fact the caption talks about the arrows showing the direction Peach moved as he was trying to escape might cause frustration for visually impaired readers. --valereee (talk) 16:07, 26 April 2019 (UTC)

Valereee, a slightly belated thank you for your comment. I've added something which I hope is useful. Cheers - SchroCat (talk) 13:11, 1 May 2019 (UTC)

Comments by Wehwalt

Not much to offer.

• "He and his men were using riot shields and had their truncheons drawn and worked to disperse the crowd.[58][40][51]" the serial "and"s is one thing; the refs out of order another.
• "Fourteen witnesses state" state or stated?
• "Despite claims by the police and government" "claims" is usually taken to be a bit POV. And which government? We seem to be right at the election.
• "Cass's team raided the home of PC Grenville Bint, where Nazi memorabilia and weapons were found. Bint stated he collected the memorabilia as a hobby.[78]" It's unclear whether "Nazi" modifies "weapons". A later reference to this suggests it does not, but it's hard to be sure.
• "79 MPs supported a step," what is a "step" in this context?

I would not call it enjoyable reading, but glad to have.--Wehwalt (talk) 15:10, 28 April 2019 (UTC)

• Not an enjoyable one to write either. A horrible situation for police and demonstrators alike - tempers and emotions got out of hand, and it was all avoidable, if the mayor had stopped the National Front from using the hall: plenty of other authorities stopped them under the Race Relations Act. Regardless of all that, thank you so much for your comments. Very helpful indeed, and I hope I've done them justice. - SchroCat (talk) 13:10, 1 May 2019 (UTC)