A CONSERVATIVE MP has welcomed an injunction to prevent “irresponsible protest” on the M25 and is calling for it to be extended to the M23 to protect Gatwick Airport.
Henry Smith, Conservative MP for Crawley, said that the actions of protesters on the M25 in recent weeks “not only undermines their cause but endangers lives as well”.
He said: “While this deterrent should put a stop to such disruption, I welcome assurances from the Crime & Policing Minister that the Government will consider seeking to extend the injunction to other parts of the highways network if this is what is needed.”
The recent injunction means that protestors carrying out disruptive demonstrations along the M25 will be in contempt of court if they breach the terms of the interim injunction, which was won by National Highways on September 21.
The injunction means that people could be sent to prison for up to two years and have an unlimited fine.
Activists from the group, Insulate Britain, have protested on the road which leads to Heathrow Airport six times in the last two weeks, despite the injunction being put in place.
Henry Smith asked in the House of Commons last week if the Minister of State for Crime and Policing to extend the injunction to the M23 to protect Gatwick Airport from disruptive protest.
Rt Hon Kit Malthouse MP, Minister of State for Crime and Policing responded saying they will have to consider their “judicial options” if the protest extends to other parts of the motorway.
He said: “Of course we will, if required. Let us hope that the deterrent effect is enough, but if the protest extends to other parts of the motorway network, we will have to consider our judicial options while we wait for the legislation, currently in the other place, to emerge hopefully unamended so that we can put the public nuisance offence on the statute book.”
The injunction comes after recent protests on the motorway, one of which left a mum partially paralysed from a stroke after her son could not get her to hospital due to protesters blocking the road on September 18.
- READ MORE: Extinction Rebellion put 'climate emergency' banner on landmark ahead of Labour conference
In a statement, Insulate Britain spokesman Liam Norton said: “You can throw as many injunctions at us as you like, but we are going nowhere.
“You can raid our savings and confiscate our property. You can deny us our liberty and put us behind bars. But that is only shooting the messenger.
“The truth is that this country is going to hell unless you take emergency action to stop putting carbon into the air.”
Have you got a story for us? Email news@theargus.co.uk or contact us here.
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to keep up with all the latest news.
Sign up to our newsletter to get updates sent straight to your inbox.
You can also call us on 01273 021 400.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel