The silencing of climate protesters in English and Welsh courts - podcast

Over the last year, many climate protesters facing trial for criminal damage have used the “consent” defence, arguing that if the property owner had known more about the climate emergency, they would have agreed with the activists’ actions.

On Monday, in a case brought by the attorney general, Victoria Prentis, the court of appeal ruled that such a defence could not be used in future cases.

Sue Carr, the lady chief justice of England and Wales, told the court that motivations, beliefs and political or philosophical views were too “remote from the damage”.

Sandra Laville, the Guardian’s environment correspondent, tells Michael Safi why the court of appeal ruling will make it more difficult for climate protesters to explain their actions in court, and explains how this government intervention is the latest in a number of attempts to crack down on direct action.

Photograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images The Guardian is editorially independent.

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