M25 traffic: Journalist arrests ‘wrong’ during protests, police commissioner says
A photographer, film-maker and LBC reporter covering Just Stop Oil protests were taken into custody this week
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A police commissioner has admitted officers “got it wrong” by arresting members of the press covering Just Stop Oil protesters on the M25.
A photographer, film-maker and LBC reporter were all taken into custody by Hertfordshire Police this week.
David Lloyd, the police and crime commissioner for the force, told LBC: “I am certain that there was no reason to arrest them such as you have given. As I said at the outset I think we got it wrong.”
Meanwhile Just Stop Oil returned to overhead gantries along the M25 on Thursday for the fourth day in a row.
The climate group once again shut down roads and caused delays along the motorway to call for an end to all new oil and gas. Traffic was brought to a standstill near Heathrow in the morning.
The Metropolitan, Surrey and Essex Police all arrested individuals over the action on Thursday.
Protesters climb gantries ‘at multiple locations'
The Met said there is a person on a gantry near Junction 25 at Waltham Cross close to the border with Hertfordshire. The road is closed.
There was also a report on social media of a protest between Junctions 15 and 16, near Heathrow Airport.
Just Stop Oil said its supporters climbed gantries “in multiple locations” from 6.30am on Thursday.
Phoebie Plummer, a 21-year-old student from London, said: “I understand people must be frustrated with us, and rightly so, but we have to disrupt daily life because we are hurtling towards climate catastrophe, yet the Government continues to betray me, my generation and people in the global South by issuing new oil licences.”
Met police says it will ‘keep traffic moving'
The Metropolitan Police said: “We’re ready to respond to any criminality on the M25 again today and will work quickly to minimise disruption and keep traffic moving.”
Kent Police said: “There are no current incidents involving activists on the road networks in Kent.
“Our officers are continuing to assist other forces in responding to any offences and disruption elsewhere.”
Just Stop Oil protestersdisrupted M25 for fourth day in a row
Just Stop Oil protesters have disrupted the M25 for a fourth day in a row.
Essex Police said a woman had been arrested while trying to climb an overhead gantry close to junction 28, near Brentwood, while Surrey Police said officers had responded to activists on the gantry at junction eight.
Essex Police said: “We have arrested a woman attempting to climb a gantry approximately 1.5 miles before J28 on the M25 clockwise track. One lane was closed for a short time as officers responded to the situation. All lanes between junctions 28 and 29 are now open.”
Surrey Police tweeted: “Officers are on scene and dealing with activists who have climbed the gantry at Junction 8 on the M25. The road has been closed anti-clockwise.”
We’ve now finished our live coverage of the M25 protests for the day, but keep checking independent.co.uk for all the latest updates.
Rishi Sunak has joined calls for press freedom after journalists were arrested at Just Stop Oil protests
Rishi Sunak has joined police chiefs in calling for press freedom after it emerged journalists have been arrested and held in custody during Just Stop Oil protests.
Charlotte Lynch, of LBC, told of her "terrifying" five hours in a police cell, a day after documentary maker Rich Felgate and photographer Tom Bowles were arrested for reporting on the activists on the M25 in Hertfordshire.
Mr Sunak said it is "vital" that journalists are able to do their job freely, "without restriction", as the chief constable of Hertfordshire Police called for a review into the arrests.
Mr Sunak said it is "vital" that journalists are able to do their job freely, "without restriction", as the chief constable of Hertfordshire Police called for a review into the arrests.
‘Only a matter of time’ before someone dies during Just Stop Oil protest, Essex police chief warns
Essex Police chief constable BJ Harrington said it is “only a matter of time” before someone is killed during a Just Stop Oil protest.
He told the Daily Telegraph: "We have been telling Just Stop Oil all the time that motorways are dangerous places and people will and do get killed."
Asked about the incident in which an officer was injured on the M25 on Wednesday morning, he said: “It's devastating. Our officers have been out there doing the best they can to protect the public and keep the roads moving.
“As a result of their bravery and commitment, one of them gets hurt.”
He went on: “I think it is only a matter of time before somebody gets killed.
“The only way this is going to stop is if Just Stop Oil frankly grow up and realise they are putting people's lives at risk.”
Rishi Sunak says government ‘moving ahead’ with policy to give police power to stop protesters
Rishi Sunak has said his government is “moving ahead” with legislation to give the police the powers they need to stop protests such as Just Stop Oil.
His comments came after Conservative MP for Runnymede and Weybridge Ben Spencer said in the Commons: “Today Just Stop Oil protesters have been on the M25, causing disruption and misery to my constituents, including causing problems of access to my local hospital.
“Does my right honourable friend agree with me rather than illegal stunts that endanger lives, these protesters should look at our records of delivery on net-zero, from renewables to the Glasgow climate pact, and work constructively with us to deliver on our environmental ambitions?”
The prime minister replied: “I completely agree with my honourable friend and I sympathise with his hard-working constituents who are having to deal with this kind of disruption.
“That's why we are moving ahead with legislation to give the police the powers they need to stop this type of extremist protesting, disrupting the lives of working people, and I very much hope the party opposite actually join us in supporting those changes.”
ICYMI: Journalist arrested covering Just Stop Oil M25 protest tells of ‘terrifying’ five hours in cell
A radio journalist has spoken of the “terrifying” five hours she endured in a police cell after being arrested while reporting on a Just Stop Oil protest.
Charlotte Lynch, of LBC, had been reporting on the activists from a road bridge over junction 21 of the M25, in Hertfordshire, on Tuesday, for around 45 minutes when she was approached and questioned by two officers.
After showing them a press card and having explained she was reporting on the demonstration, the officers handcuffed her, took her phone and arrested her on conspiracy to commit a public nuisance.
Read the full story below:
Journalist arrested covering climate protest tells of ‘terrifying’ hours in cell
Charlotte Lynch, of LBC, had been reporting on the activists from a road bridge over junction 21 of the M25, in Hertfordshire, on Tuesday.
Two protesters charged over disruption
Two Just Stop Oil protesters have been charged over disruption on the M25, Essex Police has said.
Charlotte Kirin, 53, of Peckham Street, Bury St Edmunds, and 55-year-old Paul Bleach, of Locarno Road, Portsmouth, were charged with intentionally recklessly causing a public nuisance.
On Tuesday, they were arrested at junctions 31 and 27 of the M25 respectively. Both are expected to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.
Three plead guilty to causing a public nuisance in M25 protests
Three people have pleaded guilty to causing a public nuisance following serious disruption to motorists on the M25, the Metropolitan Police confirmed.
They are among 22 people charged as part of a joint operation involving the Metropolitan Police, Essex Police, Surrey Police, Kent Police and Hertfordshire Police.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments