A MEMBER of the Shrewsbury 24 building workers’ picket who was wrongfully sent to prison has had his conviction quashed, eight years after his death.

Brian Williams, who died aged 74 in 2013, becomes the 15th of the 24 picketers to have his conviction quashed by the Court of Appeal.

The ruling today prompted renewed calls for a public inquiry into the Shrewsbury 24 scandal.

Williams’s daughter-in-law, Samantha Williams, said the unjust conviction had changed his life and “caused a lasting trauma.”

She said: “For us the process of having his conviction quashed has not only allowed us to right a wrong which was done all those years ago, but has also allowed us to further understand the shocking truth of just how wrong this was.”

Shrewsbury picketer and actor Ricky Tomlinson, who was also jailed, said: “It is great to hear that another one of my comrades has had his conviction quashed.

“The Shrewsbury pickets faced a political trial.

“After release, we all faced blacklisting and difficulty securing work — there needs to be a public inquiry into these events.”

Paul Heron, senior solicitor at the Public Interest Law Centre which represented Mr Williams’s family, said: “Alongside the Blacklist Support Group we are calling for a public inquiry into blacklisting in the construction industry, including the collusion of government.”

In 1972 building workers launched their first national strike over pay and shocking conditions. They peacefully picketed construction sites.

But in 1973 the Shrewsbury 24 were arrested and charged following what was later revealed to be collusion involving government, employers, media and police.

In 1974 Williams was convicted of affray and unlawful assembly and sentenced to six months in prison. He protested his innocence throughout his trial.