Jailed Weymouth ecologist continues hunger strike in prison

A Weymouth Ecologist’s hunger strike at HMP Bronzefield continues into its seventh day as the Insulate Britain supporter vows to continue until the government “gets on with the job” of insulating Britain’s leaky homes.

Emma Smart, an auntie, biologist and lifelong supporter of action on climate justice, stated her intention to begin an immediate hunger strike as she received a four month prison sentence from Dame Victoria Sharp at the High Court on Wednesday 17th November.

Speaking from prison today Emma said:

“I am doing the only thing I can do. I have stopped eating in solidarity with those who will have to make the choice between heating and eating this winter because of our government’s cowardice.

"Today is the seventh day I have refused to eat and I will continue to do so until the government issues a meaningful statement to get on with the job of insulating Britain’s leaky homes. This is a no-brainer that would end fuel poverty as well as be a first step towards drastically reducing the UK’s carbon emissions, something we all know needs to be done. Come on Boris, don’t be a traitor to the British people - get on with the job!”

Emma’s husband, Andy Smith said

“ My wife is in prison and facing excessive court costs for breaking an injunction that has been specifically designed to stop people demanding action on the climate emergency. It has been put in place by a genocidal government determined to stifle any dissent. She is a political prisoner.”

Nine people who had blocked the M25 and other critical roads in defiance of the civil injunctions granted to National Highways and Transport for London, were given prison sentences of between three and six months, with the court ordering that they should serve at least half that time before probation can be considered.

On Friday, the High Court ordered the nine to pay costs of £5,000 each - less than half the sum sought by National Highways Ltd.

Dame Victoria Sharp, presiding, remarked that the claimant’s £91,000 costs application was ‘excessive’. Dame Sharp’s remarks echo Emma Smart’s submission to the High Court on 16th November in which she said that National Highways Ltd was “claiming more on postage than I have earnt in the last year.”

Nine more people from Insulate Britain have now received a High Court summons, though it is understood that a committal hearing date for the next group has not yet been specified.

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• emma smart
• hunger strike