THE co-leader of the council’s environment, transport and sustainability committee “failed to condemn” tyre deflations by climate activists.

The Tyre Extinguishers have deflated the tyres of hundreds of SUVs across Brighton and Hove in recent weeks, as part of a campaign to make it “impossible” to own one of the “death machines” in urban areas.

In a meeting of the committee on Brighton and Hove City Councillor Steve Davis was asked why the council has been “silent in condemning” the actions of the group.

He said: “I can understand why the people involved in this feel that they need to take action.”

Cllr Davis went on to discuss the impact the climate emergency will have on younger generations.

After being pushed for a clearer answer by councillors, Cllr Davis went on to say that condemning is “too strong a word”.

He said: “I think condemning reminds me of judges that are condemning people to death and I’m an incredibly forgiving person.

“Of course, I don’t condone it, it’s a criminal act. I’m not going to condone it and I genuinely don’t condone it, I don’t think it’s the right way to do things.”

Cllr Robert Nemeth, Conservative environment, transport and sustainability spokesman, said he fears the council will only take action once the group’s actions result in injury.

He said: “Residents will be horrified, but probably not surprised, that the Green/Labour coalition has not condemned the highly unsafe and obviously illegal practice of letting the tyres of cars down in the middle of the night.

“I fear that it will take a serious injury or worse to jolt the council into action.”

Councillor Gary Wilkinson, Labour’s environment, transport and sustainability spokesman, said that the failure to call out the tyre extinguishings and condemn them is “tantamount to condoning criminality”.

He said: “Of course it is vital we tackle the climate crisis, but mindless acts of vandalism and harassment are counterproductive, which is why I have called on the Green Council to condemn this campaign time and again.

“It is a really nasty campaign, involving criminal activity and the damaging of people's vehicles which could put people's lives in danger.

"To hear the Green chairMAN of the transport committee refuse to do so was shocking. I urge him to condemn these dangerous and criminal acts. If he cannot, perhaps he should consider his position."

A spokeswoman for Brighton and Hove City Council said: “Deflating the tyres on someone’s car is criminal damage which should be reported to Sussex Police.”