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Angus Skinner
Clive Fairweather was a remarkable Scot. It is not for me to comment on his outstanding military career though I knew of course of some highlights, not just the extraordinary rescue of hostages in the Iranian embassy siege but of many other points – in Scotland, the UK and across the world; others know better of these.
I can attest to his humanity, his energy, his love of people (all sorts) and his ever present sense of purpose. Clive identified meaning in all he did, focused on that and delivered.
Clive and I worked together as colleague chief inspectors; he of prisons, I of social work – he of a sometimes touching naivety in his faith in people, I of more world-weary cynical stuff. Our joint work on women offenders has stood the test of time, regrettably – to both our minds.
At that time there were some 200 women in prison. I thought, perhaps wrongly, that a target of 50 was unrealistic. We compromised on a target of 100, half the number then in prison. As if Clive would have aimed to save half the hostages! To our sorrow – and indeed much more – we saw the number of women in prison double rather than halved. The systemic faults have not been well addressed; fines and their non-payment, the focused efficacy of community sentences, childhood histories and their restoration – the reclaiming of life.
When prison is necessary as rarely it is, then it should be as rehabilitative as it can be. Clive worked for that across all prisons and sectors. His loss as chief inspector was felt. Not least his trouble-making. It was – even this year – a great concern to him and I that so many of the lives of our youth, men and women, are lost through self-loathing, lack of confidence in those charged to help and wider failures in our society, unlike many others in Asia and Africa, to inspire hope. We need deep reforms. Very deep. Clive and I worked well together. He thought that the various worlds would work well together. Forget the tribalism and self-interest.
Clive’s humanity was daily, hourly, constant. He could not escape it any more than any who made contact with him. His mindfulness meditation was not 20 minutes twice a day, it was being present in the moment all day – and I fear much of the night. He didn’t think about it. He would have hated being thought of as a philosopher but he brought, always, practical wisdom. Aristotle, that great exponent of practical wisdom, would have been proud of him.
Scotland – not least its establishment across all sectors, civil service, judiciary, political, local authority, voluntary sector and civic society – is the poorer for his loss. We must consider why we failed to deliver – over 15 years of growth – those precise, limited and agreed aspirations – fewer women in prison.
Like the best of Scots Clive was feisty, fun and much loved. I hope he always knew that. For it is true.
Latterly we talked of Combat Stress. War has changed. The Dear John letter is replaced with a mobile call that the ‘effing dishwasher you said you had fixed has flooded the kitchen this morning’ and Clive knew this. Combat Stress’s excellent work comes often too late. We shared this focus on trying to get a more resilient approach because of his concern for soldiers and because so many of them have been in state care at some time.
Last year he helped me arrange a wreath for a former SAS who was shot in France working with the resistance. The French never wear poppies, they think them rather aggressive but they celebrate success, stamina and victory. Children and young people are always involved in the meaningful ceremonies held several times each year. Clive knew and appreciated that.
There is much wrong in how we run our society. If nothing else let us at least save a few hostages – women in prison have often been in care, often abused, often desperate, often hostages to our failing systems.
I salute you Clive. Rest in peace dear colleague and friend (and don’t cause too much trouble in Heaven – but do cause a bit, for Heaven’s sake)
Angus Skinner is a penal reformer and retired senior
civil servant
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