M25 eco mob face jail as 'reckless' stunt risks lives –injunction granted in new crackdown
ENVIRONMENTAL activists targeting the M25 could face prison after National Highways was granted an injunction against the protests, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said.
M25: Boris Johnson says protests are ‘crazy’
Protesters from Insulate Britain have caused chaos over the past week by repeatedly blocking the M25 as part of their campaign to improve home insulation. Mr Shapps said National Highways was last night granted an injunction against the activists which comes into force later today.
The Transport Secretary warned protesters from the environmental group face possible imprisonment if they defy the order.
Mr Shapps tweeted: "Invading a motorway is reckless & puts lives at risk.
"I asked National Highways to seek an injunction against M25 protestors which a judge granted last night.
"Effective later today, activists will face contempt of court with possible imprisonment if they flout."
Home Secretary Priti Patel added: "I can confirm this Government and @NationalHways are taking action to bring the ongoing #M25 protests to end with an important injunction so people can get moving again.
"We will not tolerate lives being put at risk. Those who continue to do so risk imprisonment."
The legal action comes after 38 protesters were arrested yesterday during the group's latest demonstration on the M25.
Activists gathered on the hard shoulder before running out in front of traffic to block the motorway.
READ MORE: WATCH eco mob Insulate Britain cut off busy M25 in dangerous stunt
It was the fifth time in little more than a week that protesters had descended on the M25.
The demonstrators have caused chaos over the last week by glueing themselves to carriageways and pouring paint on the road.
Writing in a column for the Daily Mail, Ms Patel and Mr Shapps condemned the tactics of the activists.
DON'T MISS
Richard Madeley in fiery takedown of 'unacceptable' M25 protests [VIDEO]
Eco militants glue themselves to road and bring more chaos to M25 [INSIGHT]
'Police need to act' Kwasi Kwarteng blasts M25 protest [ANALYSIS]
They wrote: "(The protesters) have broken the law, undermined the cause they believe in, alienated the public, and created extra pollution, in one of the most self-defeating environmental protests this country has ever seen.
"We are giving (police) powers to better manage such guerrilla tactics in future.
"In the medium-term, the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill will put public nuisance on a statutory footing, ensuring there are appropriate sentences for the harm caused."
Boris Johnson also criticised the activists while flying to New York for the United Nations General Assembly on Monday where he will urge world leaders to spend more in the fight against the climate crisis.
The Prime Minister said: "We are taking powers to be able to remove protesters when they are threatening critical national infrastructure, when they are threatening to cause serious economic damage and I think that is entirely right.
"And no, I don't think these people do any favours to their cause.
"I think that what they do is detract from a very important moral mission that is widely shared now by the people of this country."