Cheers greet acquittal of Balcombe poet on anti-fracking protest charge – full report
1st May 2014 Cheers from the public gallery greeted the words of District Judge Peter Crabtree: “Mr Welsh you are free to go.”
Balcombe poet acquitted on public order offence
1st May 2014 Poet Simon Welsh, who was arrested for singing outside Cuadrilla’s oil exploration site during last year’s anti-fracking protests at Balcombe, has been acquitted of a public order offence. Mr Welsh, 35, of High Street, Balcombe, denied he failed to comply with a condition imposed by […]
17 issues West Sussex could not (or would not) consider when deciding Cuadrilla’s Balcombe planning application
30th April 2014 Yesterday, the planning committee of West Sussex County Council granted planning permission to Cuadrilla to test the viability of its oil exploration well at Balcombe. This is despite nearly 900 objections to the public consultation, a 5,000-name petition against the application and presentations in opposition […]
Balcombe residents’ group vows to fight on after Cuadrilla wins planning permission
29th April 2014 The Frack Free Balcombe Residents’ Association is considering a legal challenge to the decision by West Sussex County Council’s planning committee to grant permission to Cuadrilla to test the viability of its exploratory oil well.
70%+ of Balcombe anti-fracking charges acquitted at trial – latest update
25th April 2014 More than 70% of the charges that went to trial following anti-fracking protests outside Cuadrilla’s exploration site in Balcombe have now resulted in acquittals or were dropped during the court case.
Full transcript of interview with Caroline Lucas
18th April 2014 This is the complete transcript of an interview with Caroline Lucas MP about policing and prosecution policy at the anti-fracking protests outside Cuadrilla’s oil exploration site at Balcombe last year.
Balcombe policing policy “perverse” and “disproportionate” – Caroline Lucas
18th April 2014 By Ruth Hayhurst and Barry Keevins After her acquittal on all charges arising from last year’s Balcombe anti-fracking demonstrations, MP Caroline Lucas said the right to protest was being eroded and undermined. “Legitimate protest”, she said was being “criminalised by oppressive policing in an attempt […]
Video of Caroline Lucas statement after acquittal on anti-fracking protest charges
Click for video of statement
Judge in Caroline Lucas trial criticises policing operation and tactics at Balcombe anti-fracking protests
17th April 2014 The district judge at the trial of MP Caroline Lucas and four other anti-fracking campaigners said conditions imposed on people at the Balcombe protest on August 19th were unlawful. He said the senior police officer who issued the conditions was not authorised to do so, […]
Acquitted MP, Caroline Lucas, urges PM to show leadership and stop fracking
17th April 2014 The Green MP for Brighton, Caroline Lucas, vowed to continue her campaign to end fracking after her acquittal on public order and obstruction charges arising from last summer’s protests at Balcombe.
DRILL OR DROP? 