Nine Insulate Britain activists jailed for blocking M25
The group said it intends to continue its protests
Last updated 17th Nov 2021
Nine Insulate Britain activists have been jailed for breaching High Court injunctions designed to prevent disruptive protests.
Ana Heyatawin, 58, and Louis McKechnie, 20, were jailed for three months, while Ben Buse, 36, Roman Paluch-Machnik, 28, Oliver Rock, 41, Emma Smart, 44, Tim Speers, 36, and James Thomas, 47, all received four-month sentences.
The nine supporters were jailed after they admitted breaching the injunction by taking part in a blockade at junction 25 of the M25 on 8th October.
Addressing the media outside the Royal Courts of Justice, an Insulate Britain activist said Emma Smart, one of the nine, had announced her intention to go on hunger strike after the decision was announced.
The group and its supporters chanted "We are unstoppable, another world is possible" as they were led to the cells through the dock by security officers.
They also intend to continue with the protests until the Government agrees to insulate homes.
Evidence is currently being gathered to bring proceedings in relation to protests on 29th October and 2nd November, according to QC Myriam Stacey.
So far, 161 people have been involved in the roadblock campaign and there have been more than 800 arrests.
Five injunctions against Insulate Britain so far
Insulate Britain began a wave of protests in September and has blocked the M25, other roads in London, Birmingham and Manchester, and around the Port of Dover in Kent.
The High Court has so far issued five injunctions to prevent protesters from blocking roads.
They include four injunctions granted to National Highways, banning demonstrations on the M25, around the Port of Dover and on major roads around London, and one to Transport for London (TfL).
TfL was granted a civil banning order aimed at preventing protesters from obstructing traffic on some of the capital's busiest roads.
Those who breach the injunctions could be found in contempt of court and face a maximum penalty of two years in prison or an unlimited fine.