CLIMATE activists arrested for chalk-spraying a government building will have to wait for their verdicts until allegations of “inconsistencies” in prosecutions are addressed.

City of London magistrates’ court adjourned the case today so that defendants can pursue an abuse of process argument at the High Court.

Members of climate change campaign group Extinction Rebellion pleaded not guilty to charges of causing criminal damage by chalk-spraying slogans onto the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs building in November, demanding action to protect food security.

A series of protests took place across central London that day, during which 27 people were arrested.

The defence counsel argued today that there were inconsistencies in the treatment of the defendants compared with other similar cases.

Defendants Rosie Lancaster, Lizzy Haughton, Christopher Allport, Laura Hughes and Liz Beck stressed that their protest had been “reasonable and proportionate” in the light of the “severe consequences of inaction.”

Giving evidence, Ms Beck said she chose to use spray chalk as it could be easily washed off and she intended to remove the writing later.

She added that another protester had offered to wash off the slogans during the demonstration, only to be threatened with arrest.

Ahead of the hearing, Ms Haughton said she had acted on her conscience and didn’t expect to “get off the hook” but hoped to “make a point in the court’s eyes.”

The 23-year-old said: “I hope they step up and realise that they, as the courts, have the power to stop the worst of climate breakdown.

“When I was giving evidence, the prosecution suggested I could have tried other, non-illegal tactics, but I’ve tried every tactic I can think of. And nothing has changed.”

The magistrates’ court will issue a verdict on the charges on August 5, based on the High Court’s decision regarding the alleged abuse of process.