Actor Ricky Tomlinson and other members of the so-called Shrewsbury 24, who were convicted for picketing nearly 50 years ago, have won a bid to clear their names at the UK Court of Appeal.
Two dozen trade unionists who picketed during the 1972 national builders' strike were charged with offences including unlawful assembly, conspiracy to intimidate and affray for picketing, with 22 of them convicted.
Tomlinson, who was best known for roles in The Royle Family and Brookside, was sentenced to two years in jail for conspiracy to intimidate and affray.
Lawyers representing 14 of the Shrewsbury 24 argued the destruction of original witness statements means their convictions are unsafe.
They also claimed the broadcast of a documentary, Red Under The Bed, during the first of three trials in 1973 and 1974 was "deeply prejudicial" as it would have "provoked panic in the mind" of the jury.
This morning, the Court of Appeal allowed the appellants' challenge to their convictions.
Announcing the decision at the Royal Courts of Justice in London, Lord Justice Fulford said: "These 14 appeals against conviction are allowed across the three trials and on every extant count which the 14 appellants faced."
The judge added: "It would not be in the public interest to order a retrial."
In a statement after the ruling, The Royle Family star said: "Whilst it is only right that these convictions are overturned, it is a sorry day for British justice.
"The reality is we should never have been standing in the dock.
"We were brought to trial at the apparent behest of the building industry bosses, the Conservative government and ably supported by the secret state.
"This was a political trial not just of me, and the Shrewsbury pickets - but was a trial of the trade union movement.
"My thoughts today are with my friend and comrade Des Warren.
"Like me, he was victimised by the court for defending the interests of the working class.
"I'm just sorry he is not here today so we can celebrate, but I'm sure he's with us in spirit."
One of Mr Tomlinson's co-appellants Arthur Murray, who was convicted of affray and unlawful assembly and sentenced to six months, said: "We were innocent all along, yet it has taken us nearly 50 years to clear our names.
"We all came from respectful working-class families. Sadly my mother and four of my siblings have passed away without knowing that we were innocent.
"This was a major miscarriage of justice and victimisation of not only innocent workers, but an attack on the working class and the trade union movement as a whole.
"We have stood firm and we have been vindicated.
"However, serious questions need to be asked about the role of the building industry bosses in our convictions and the highest offices of Government who all had a hand in our trial and conviction.
"Make no mistake, our convictions were a political witch-hunt."
