Book reveals true story of councillor (From Swindon Advertiser)
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Book reveals true story of Coun Derique Montaut
5:20pm Tuesday 20th November 2012 in News By Josh Layton
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Derique Montant has written a book about his life called Any Colour (So Long As It’s Red)
A LONG-serving Swindon councillor is writing a candid account of his life story, which includes housing an IRA supergrass, organising mass strikes and upsetting Neil Kinnock.
Coun Derique Montaut is recounting his journey from growing up amid the decline of the Raj in India to his entry into trade union politics, which led to a career at the town hall.
Coun Montaut (Lab, Liden, Elden & Park South), who has more than 30 years’ experience as a councillor, begins with an unnerving description of a body dangling from a tree in the Madras slums. But his upbringing in a mini-mansion with his father, an army officerwas not an obvious starting point for a boy who would become a militant Marxist.
“The question is who is the real Derique Montaut?,” the veteran activist said.
“I wrote the book for my family so future generations can find out about my life.
“I have documented how I was brought up in a mixed-race dynasty before arriving in this country and becoming involved in militant activities which included commanding mass strikes in one of Britain’s industries.
“I also wanted to remind my family who they are.”
Coun Montaut took a job at the then Pressed Steel car plant in Swindon during the 1960s, becoming boss of the factory’s union and remaining convenor for a quarter of a century.
The former Labour group leader, also tells how he worried for the safety of his family and Swindon residents when, as the council’s chair of housing and health in the 1980s, the town housed an IRA supergrass for the RUC.
Coun Montaut was made to swear a vow of secrecy but details of the arrangement later appeared in a national newspaper under the title: “Thamesdown – a safe place for supergrasses.”
Coun Montaut also tells how Neil Kinnock beat a diplomatic retreat on a visit to the Oasis Leisure Centre when he lectured the then Labour leader on his failings.
Comments(11)
Bimbosforjustice
says...
12:27am Wed 21 Nov 12
The Real Librarian
says...
8:29am Wed 21 Nov 12
All they have to do is google him and see a sucession of non stories in the adver where Derek is frony and centre on the photos.
The last time I spoke to him he was considering running as Labour PCC candidate. How did that work out Derek?
I 2 Could B
says...
11:03am Wed 21 Nov 12
“The question is who is the real Derique Montaut?”
As I understand it, answering that question truthfully would lead to an immediate ban from this website.
Peter Mallinson
says...
11:47am Wed 21 Nov 12
Good luck to you Derique.
The Real Librarian
says...
3:33pm Wed 21 Nov 12
Peter Mallinson wrote:I believe in heckling from the cheap seats. Why not let me get on with it!
Derique is trying to do something that he believes in, it is harmless so why not let him get on with it. Good luck to you Derique.
Empty Car Park
says...
10:43pm Wed 21 Nov 12
Desecration in the ranks
Peter Mallinson
says...
1:41pm Thu 22 Nov 12
I am sure Derique can handle the heckling, especialy from "the cheap seats".
Peter Mallinson
says...
1:41pm Thu 22 Nov 12
I am sure Derique can handle the heckling, especialy from "the cheap seats".
I 2 Could B
says...
4:54pm Thu 22 Nov 12
Empty Car Park wrote:Hi Jase, what did you intend to mean by the above?
Whoops!
Desecration in the ranks
Empty Car Park
says...
8:35pm Thu 22 Nov 12
Empty Car Park says...
11:04pm Tue 20 Nov 12
Oliver will have a field day