PROMINENT Tory Robert Jenrick came under fire today after claiming that a jury’s acquittal of the Colston four “undermined the rule of law.” 

The former cabinet minister and several other Conservative MPs expressed anger after the four protesters were cleared of criminal damage over the toppling of the Bristol statue of slaver Edward Colston during a Black Lives Matter (BLM) demonstration in June 2020. 

Mr Jenrick tweeted: “We undermine the rule of law, which underpins our democracy, if we accept vandalism and criminal damage are acceptable forms of political protest. They aren’t. Regardless of the intentions.”

Ipswich MP Tom Hunt told the Telegraph that if juries act as a “barrier” to the punishment of people who have broken the law, this “needs to be addressed.”

Others suggested that the verdict could set a “dangerous precedent” and “give rise to other statues being damaged.”

But today, lawyers criticised the MPs’ attack on the jury system.

Barrister Liam Walker QC, who represented one of the defendants, wrote on social media: “The jury system is the cornerstone of the justice system. 

“Questioning a lawful verdict UNDERMINES [sic] the rule of law. As does proroguing Parliament and attacking judges.”

Legal commentator David Allen Green said: “Jury verdicts do not ‘undermine the rule of law.’ Jury verdicts *are* part of the rule of law.”

Human rights barrister Adam Wagner also rejected suggestions that the verdict would set a precedent.

“Anyone damaging property in future would have no way of knowing if a jury would convict or acquit them. The law is as it was,” he said. 

Surprisingly, Commons leader Jacob Rees-Mogg was among those who defended the verdict, telling MPs: “The decision does not set a precedent. It was a case decided by a jury on the facts before them.”

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps responded to the outcome of the trial by reiterating plans to toughen legislation on causing criminal damage to statues, as proposed in the Police Crime Sentencing and Courts Bill. 

Campaigners also defended the verdict and renewed calls to oppose the Bill, which would give police sweeping new powers to crack down on protests. 

Supporting the Kill the Bill Coalition, Marvina Newton, a member of BLM Leeds and United for Black Lives, told the Morning Star: “What about the trauma of black and marginalised communities in Bristol who had to look at that statue celebrating a man who brutally enslaved their ancestors? 

“That trauma is the real damage that politicians should be talking about.”

She added: “The Tory government are stealthily removing our rights to protest, cultural determination and even to remain in this country. 

“This is why the Kill The Bill Coalition is calling for everyone to collaborate in fighting the oppressive Bills passing through Parliament at the moment.”

Extinction Rebellion activist also supporting the Kill the Bill Coalition, Bhavini Patel, said: “Threatened by the social forces triggered by Black Lives Matter, the Tory government is desperately defending the symbols of Establishment power because they know that society is turning against them.”