Nineteen Insulate Britain protesters due to appear at High Court
They're facing charges over an alleged injunction breach on the M25
Last updated 2nd Feb 2022
Nineteen Insulate Britain protesters are due to appear at the High Court in London later today (1st February) over an alleged breach of an injunction blocking protests on the M25.
The protest group began a wave of demonstrations in September last year which included blocking the M25 and other roads in London, including around Parliament.
They also demonstrated on roads in Birmingham, Manchester and around the Port of Dover in Kent.
A number of High Court injunctions against the group's road blockades have been granted to National Highways and Transport for London to prevent their disruptive protests.
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.
The demonstrators include Arne Springorum, 49, Ben Taylor, 27, Ben Buse, 36, Biff Whipster, 54, David Nixon, 35, Diana Warner, 62, Ellie Litten, 35, Gabriella Ditton, 28, and Indigo Rumbelow, 27.
Jessica Causby, 25, Liam Norton, 37, Paul Sheeky, 46, Ruth Jarman, 58, Stephanie Aylett, 27, Stephen Gower, 55, Stephen Pritchard, 62, Sue Parfitt, 79, Theresa Norton, 63, and Christian Rowe 24, are also expected to appear.
In November 2021, nine supporters of the group were jailed at the High Court after admitting breaching the injunction by participating in a blockade on the M25 in October.
Other demonstrators were jailed or given suspended sentences in December for a similar breach.
The hearing before Lord Justice William Davis and Mr Justice Johnson is due to begin at 10:30 am.
The Insulate Britain protests timeline:
The beginning of the protests in September 2021
The Insulate Britain protests began in September 2021, when protesters sat on the roads at five junctions on the M25 motorway. There were further protests on 15th, 17th, 20th, 21st and 23rd September. Thirty-eight protesters were arrested for various offenses, such as criminal damage and causing a public nuisance. On 29th September, protesters blocked the M25 again near junction 3.
Insulate Britain return to streets of London and M25
Insulate Britain returned to the streets of London and the M25 once again in October 2021. On 8th October, there were about 40 demonstrators sitting on the road at junction 25 of the M25 at Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire and on the A501 at Old Street roundabout.
Protesters block two major roads into London
The road-blocking climate group obstructed the A40 in west London and a roundabout in Dartford in the east of the capital. It came after the Government-owned National Highways secured a ban on activities that obstruct traffic on its 4,300-mile network of motorways and major A-roads in England.
Angered drivers throw ink over protesters
Insulate Britain protesters had ink thrown over them as they blocked the A40 in west London and a roundabout near the Dartford Crossing. 77-year-old, retired doctor Christian, told us that having ink thrown at him "wasn't painful" and it "didn't hurt".
Insulate Britain block traffic near Manchester Airport
In early November 2021, the group targeted Manchester for the first time blocking a major road near Manchester Airport. Some even glued themselves to the road on a roundabout at Junction 6 of the M56. On the same day (2nd November), the group also went back on the M25 in Hertfordshire where some 20 arrests were made.
Nine Insulate Britain supporters jailed for blocking M25
Nine members of the activist group were 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 group's supporters go on hunger strike outside Downing Street
On 30th November, Insulate Britain supporters started a 24-hour hunger strike outside Downing Street. They said it's in solidarity with Emma Smart, an Insulate Britain activist, who at the time was moved to the hospital wing of HMP Bronzefield after not eating for 14 days.
Campaigner Emma Smart goes over 20 days without food
On 29th November 44-year-old Emma was moved to the hospital wing at HMP Bronzefield as staff became concerned about her health. She ended her 26-day hunger strike early, on 13th December, after her MP wrote to her and requested a visit. Ms Smart was released from prison on 14th January.