Michael Shrimpton pays tribute to the Metric Martyrs
One advantage of not being involved in Metric Martyr (No 2) (Devers v London Borough of Hackney) is that I can write about it! Janet Devers is the sister of Colin Hunt, one of the original “metric martyrs” accused of labelling groceries using imperial measures.
The decision to prosecute Mrs Devers, an market trader, for the heinous offence of selling a bowl of fruit is now being independently investigated after a whistleblower reported that she was singled out for prosecution for her opposition to compulsory metrication.
It was long EU policy to force metrication on the , but we are a resilient nation and our much-loved and practical weights and measures are as ancient as our language and constitution. In the face of such resilience, it is no surprise that the EU backed away from compulsory metrication.
Clash with Thatcher
Steve Thoburn was the original metric martyr after being caught and charged for using imperial scales by an undercover trading standards officer. Thoburn v Sunderland
