Philip Pedley is a British conservative activist who held a number of positions in the Conservative Party at local, regional and national level and was appointed Deputy Chairman of one of the largest quangos in Wales.
Education Pedley was educated at Calday Grange Grammar School and Lancaster University.Times Guide to House of Commons 1983
Young Conservatives Pedley joined his local branch of the Young Conservatives in 1974 in response to the miners' strike that year and the defeat of the Conservative government. He rose to become chairman of the North West Area Young Conservatives. Working closely with his predecessor, Iain Picton, and his successor Jeff Green, the North West Area became the pre-eminent base of the moderates against right-wing elements from the Monday Club and hardline libertarians from the Federation of Conservative Students. Elected as National Vice-Chairman of the Young Conservatives in 1981, under Picton, Pedley was elected national chairman in 1982, serving two terms until 1984. He maintained the moderate Tory Reform Group's hold on the organisation to the frustration of right-wing elements. "During the 1980s the wets retained an iron grip on the YCs under the ruthless and efficient leadership of Iain Picton, John Guthrie and Phil Pedley."Paul Mercer, Directory of British Political Organisations
Youth for Multilateral Disarmament – anti-CND front organisation Under Picton's chairmanship, Pedley worked with the Ministry of Defence to counter the activities of the Youth CND in the party and established a moderate 'front' organisation to highlight the risk of unilateral disarmament and support for US cruise missiles in the UK. The CND magazine, Sanity, obtained a copy of the confidential action plan and revealed Pedley had been in communication with John Nott, the Minister of Defence about the plans to take on CND, and described the anti-CND material planned. They quoted Pedley as saying "It is especially worrying that a good many Young Conservatives have sympathy with CND's position." Sanity reported that the front organisation would "be roped into monitoring CND activities and outlines plans to train anti-CND organisers."Government Dirty Tricks", Sanity, August–September 1981, No 4 The organisation was named as Youth for Multilateral Disarmament with Pedley as its first director and national organiser, and Mark Worrall working with him as secretary general.
Withdrawal from British Youth Council The British Youth Council (BYC) was an umbrella organisation representing a multitude of youth organisations. As national vice-chairman of the YCs under Picton, Pedley negotiated alliances with non-political youth groups to boost representation on the BYC executive to an all-time high of three, including a vice-chairman position and a further representative on the BYC International Committee.National Young Conservative Report 1981-82 The YCs came under pressure and although Pedley reported success in defeating the National Organisation of Labour Students (NOLS) candidate for the chairmanship and electing two Young Conservatives to the executive, he warned of "disturbing trends". "The National Officers [of the YCs] are particularly concerned at the left-ward drift on political and social issues, such as disarmament, prostitution and unemployment. There is an inevitable question mark over the future of BYC following the departure of the extremely able chairman, John Collins (Scouts). It is hoped the new incumbent, Donny O'Rourke will be as pragmatic."National Young Conservative Report 1982-83
A year later, Pedley concluded the British Youth Council was under the control of its non-executive BYC staff members such as John Denham and Rex Osbourne, who owed their allegiances to the left and were manipulating the organisation to take an increasingly anti-government line. The Young Conservatives warned the new leadership that if they continued on their path, they would withdraw. In 1984, the Young Conservative National Advisory Committee voted to withdraw from the British Youth Council to deprive the organisation of legitimacy, with just one member, Richard Thomas, speaking and voting against the move (on the grounds that leaving would give an open non opposed platform for the left).Minutes of YC National Advisory Committee, January 1984
Following the Young Conservative decision, the Federation of Conservative Students followed suit. The FCS had long argued the BYC's funding should be cut.FCS Minutes of No 10 Minutes Previously, Picton and Pedley had defended the organisation and the funding had remained in place. After the decision to withdraw, Pedley resisted pressure from party chairman, John Gummer, who had been lobbied by various youth organisations to reverse the YC decision. Pedley withdrew his support for BYC funding and wrote to selected Conservative MPs, explaining the Young Conservative decision and ensuring the subject of funding was taken up in the House of Commons."British Youth Council", Hansard, June 1984
European Youth Framework (Standing Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe) As part of the Helsinki agreement, the Young Conservatives were involved in a parallel youth 'framework' of western youth organisations and Soviet bloc youth groups. Pedley attended a framework meeting in the Netherlands and was critical of attempts to find a 'third way' between communism and free enterprise, and participated in a demonstration from the conference floor in support of Solidarity, the Polish opposition organisation.European Youth and Student Dialogue on Peace and Disarmament" held in Amersfoort from 14 to 17 October 1982
Far right infiltration In 1981, Pedley backed up Picton's warnings about right-wing activity in some Young Conservative branches and in particular the Greater London Young Conservatives (GLYC).Nicholas Comfort, "Young Tories expel Front Infiltrators", Daily Telegraph, 25 May 1981 In 1982, following a series of incidents involving far-right activity, Pedley set up a Committee of Enquiry, a sub-committee of the National Advisory Committee and chaired by Demitri Coryton Argyropulo, a Surrey county councillor and former national vice-chairman.
Draft reportThe committee's draft report was leaked at the 1983 Party Conference and appeared on the front page of The Observer, competing with the breaking news of Cecil Parkinson's affair with Sarah Keyes."1983: Parkinson quits over lovechild scandal", BBC News, 14 October 1983 The draft report became a subject of intense media interest and the BBC Panorama team began an investigation into far right links, resulting in a controversial programme called "Maggie's Militant Tendency" which was broadcast in January 1984.
Final reportThe final YC report on right wing activity was finalised by Argyropulo's sub committee in January 1984 and approved by the YC national advisory committee. The final report was never published and did not form the basis of the Panorama programme.
Libel action – Maggie's Militant TendencyArgyropulo was to have appeared on Panorama but was forced to pull out. Pedley agreed to be interviewed on the Panorama programme along with other Conservatives including the party chairman and some of the MPs accused of having links to right wing groups. Neil Hamilton, Harvey Proctor and Gerald Howarth sued both the BBC and Pedley, alleging the statements made amounted to calling them fascists. Pedley and the BBC denied they had called the MPs fascists and resisted the action. In early 1986, Proctor abruptly dropped his libel action against Pedley and the BBC. The case against the BBC involving Howarth and Hamilton proceeded to court, but before the cross examination of Hamilton's testimony began, the BBC Board of Governors instructed the BBC management to settle the case.The Times, 28 October 1986
Pedley announced he would continue the case and declined settlement terms. Hamilton and Howarth announced they were withdrawing."Fighting on alone", The Guardian, 22 October 1986 In court, the judge ruled in Pedley's favour and Hamilton and Howarth were ordered to pay Pedley's costs and were debarred from alleging libel. Pedley was given leave to return to Court should they repeat the charge.High Court written judgement, 14 July 1987
Libel actions against the Daily Telegraph, Sunday Telegraph and Alistair McAlpinePedley came under sustained attack from supporters of Neil Hamilton in the aftermath of the 1986 court case.
In 1993, Pedley was the target of smear campaign in the Sunday Telegraph and the Sunday Express in an attempt to stop him proposing a motion at the Conservative Party Conference. The Mandrake column in the Telegraph alleged he had personally written the YC Report and had libelled Hamilton. The claims were repeated by Alistair McAlpine in his Express column, which went further and called for Pedley to be banned. Pedley instituted libel proceedings against both the Sunday Telegraph and McAlpine. Both apologised.Sunday Express, 19 September 1993-"Mr Philip Pedley, An Apology", Sunday Telegraph, 12 December 1993-Court statement: Philip Pedley v The Sunday Telegraph 1993-P-No.2384
A further libel against Pedley occurred in 1994, when supporters of Hamilton, resisting pressures for Hamilton to resign as minister, blamed Pedley supporters for exacting revenge on Hamilton. The Daily Telegraph ran as it main front-page story a piece placing Pedley at the centre of the unfolding drama. The paper quoted a close Hamilton friend as saying, "This has turned into a factional fight with the [Tory] left trying to force him out." Anger was directed at David Hunt (Minister for Open Government) who they regarded as instrumental in destroying Hamilton's chances of staying on. "Mr Hunt has clashed with Mr Hamilton before, most notably over the cabinet minister's patronage of Mr Phil Pedley." The article went on to imply that Hamilton had won his case of libel against Pedley."Demands for Hamilton to quit increase", Daily Telegraph, 24 October 1994 Pedley issued libel proceedings and the Telegraph issued an apology. "We may have given the false impression that Pedley lost that action. In fact Mr Hamilton discontinued it.... on terms debarring him from taking further proceedings against Mr Pedley... Mr Hamilton was ordered to pay Mr Pedley's costs. We apologise to Mr Pedley.Daily Telegraph, 8 November 1994
Falklands During Pedley's tenure as chairman, the Argentine military invaded the Falklands causing a crisis for the Thatcher government. Conservative Central Office canvassed each section of the party for its opinion on different scenarios ranging from negotiated surrender to airstrikes on the Argentine mainland. Pedley issued a press release stating;"The invasion of the Falklands illustrates a classic case of the failure to maintain a deterrence. We announced the withdrawal of HMS Endurance and the Argentine Junta misread our intentions. In the wake of the appalling Argentine aggression, Conservative Central Office have canvassed all sectors of the voluntary Party for their opinion. In the YCs ... our stance is clear. This aggression cannot stand ... air strikes against the Argentine mainland no, but the Falkland islanders must be liberated, by force if necessary. We stand foursquare behind Margaret Thatcher's Government in this difficult time for Britain and of course, the Falkland islanders."National YC press release: Falklands, April 1982
South Africa Pedley attempted to forge links with the moderate Progressive Federal Party in South Africa. He banned the South African Embassy from holding a reception for conference delegates at the national YC Conference, stating: