Latest editorial
The Whole Truth Five (from left to right) Lucia Whittaker De Abreu, Cressida Gethin, Louise Lancaster, Daniel Shaw and Roger Hallam
JUST STOP OIL (JSO) vowed to press on with civil resistance today after five of its activists were handed record jail sentences for nothing more than attending a Zoom call.
Judge Christopher Hehir set a disturbing precedent on Thursday after he jailed the activists for a total of 21 years at Southwark Crown Court.
They were convicted of “conspiracy to cause a public nuisance” for co-ordinating a peaceful action on the M25 that aimed to press the government to halt new oil and gas licences.
The heroism of the jury who defied prison and starvation conditions secured the absolute right of juries to deliver verdicts based on conscience — a convention which is now under attack, writes MAT COWARD
Thousands expected to attend next protest against Palestine Action ban, organisers say
ANSELM ELDERGILL examines the government’s proposals to further limit the right of citizens to trial by jury
ANSELM ELDERGILL examines the legal case behind this weekend’s Tolpuddle Martyrs’ Festival and the lessons for today