The probation officers union NAPO and the Justice Alliance held a joint march on April 1st from Parliament to the Ministry of Justice.

NAPO members were in the second day of strike action against the privatisation of 70% of the probation service. The Justice Alliance action by solicitors and other legal professionals was in response to cuts in legal aid.

The protest coincided with Justice Minister Chris Grayling’s birthday. With good humour that only underlined the seriousness of their respective campaigns the protest sang happy birthday to Minister Grayling who’s birthday present is ‘No more justice for the many, only justice for you’! A cake for Minister Grayling’s birthday was presented to officials at the Ministry but returned untouched.

The eventual fate of the cake remains unknown.

Edit: A source within NAPO confirmed the cake was consumed by strikers along with several lemonades at a nearby hostelry. Let’s hope this isn’t the last time Grayling’s loss is NAPO’s gain!