Don’t “gold-plate” human rights when dealing with protest camps – ministers
The government has instructed local councils and the police to do more to stop protest camps, including those against oil and gas operations.
Ban fracking until human rights impact is known, Bianca Jagger to urge PM
The human rights campaigner, Bianca Jagger, will deliver a report to 10 Downing Street on Wednesday (26/11/14) urging the UK Government to investigate the human rights impact of fracking.
Cuadrilla injunction granted – but judge rejects £54,000 costs claim
The interim injunction granted to the drilling company Cuadrilla and a group of Lancashire landowners to prevent protests on proposed fracking sites has been extended unopposed at Manchester High Court. But the judge rejected the company’s application for legal costs of £54,000 against a single anti-fracking campaigner. It […]
Government accused of ignoring opposition to trespass law change
Environmental campaigners and Scotland’s energy minister have criticised the government for ignoring opposition and going ahead with plans to change the trespass laws in favour of shale gas drilling. An industry group said the decision would pave the way for shale gas development in the UK.
Is the old law of besetting a new threat to environmental protests?
27th February 2014 Two anti-fracking campaigners arrested at the Balcombe protests were convicted this week of the ancient act of besetting. Sussex Police tried to prosecute more than 20 others for the same offence. So is besetting making a comeback and could it be a threat to environmental […]
Drilling opposition in Sussex: legal challenge at Fernhurst and objections at Balcombe
3/2/14 Greenpeace reported today that a group of Sussex residents have formed the first legal blockade to stop a drilling site. The charity says solicitors acting on behalf of the residents have written to the Energy Secretary, Ed Davey, and the exploration company, Celtique Energie, to say they […]
Campaigner found guilty of obstructing the police for “going beyond the agreed level of protest”
An anti-fracking campaigner heard today (30/1/14) that his human right to freedom of speech through protesting did not give him a right to wilfully obstruct the police. Keyon Bayandor, 25, from Bristol, denied obstructing PC Michael Butler at the Balcombe protests on August 1st last year. But he […]
Police held Balcombe campaigner in headlock – court hears
An environmental campaigner described this morning (23/1/14) how a police officer held him in a headlock during a struggle at the anti-fracking protests at Balcombe. Zachary Hewitt was giving evidence at his trial at Brighton Magistrates Court. Mr Hewitt, 23, of Bexhill-on-sea, is accused along with another campaigner, […]
Police officer punched by anti-fracking demonstrator – court told
A police officer monitoring the crowds at last summer’s Balcombe anti-fracking protests told a court this afternoon (22/1/14) how he was punched in the chest by a young woman demonstrator. PC Mario Ciaramella, usually based at Worthing Police Station, was giving evidence at the trial of three environmental […]
Balcombe anti-fracking campaigner accused of assaulting police evidence gatherer with placard
A member of a police evidence gathering team at the anti-fracking protests at Balcombe told Brighton Magistrates Court today (22/1/14) how he was hit on the lip by a placard carried by an environmental campaigner. PC Stephen Kimber, of Eastbourne Police Station, was working at the front of […]
DRILL OR DROP? 