Climate protesters should not get longer prison sentences than rapists and far right, says Greens co-leader

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Green Party co-leader Adrian Ramsay has condemned the jail sentences of up to five years handed to Just Stop Oil protesters who caused gridlock on the M25. Protesters climbed onto gantries over the M25 for four successive days in November 2022, bringing traffic to a standstill Mr Ramsay said: “The question is whether the government is taking a proportionate approach. And I don't think anyone could really genuinely say that a peaceful protest should get a heavier sentence than someone who's a rapist.” The row followed the trial of five Just Stop Oil members involved when 45 members of the group climbed gantries over the motorway in November 2022, forcing police to stop the traffic and causing gridlock. Mr Ramsay refused to condone the tactics used by Just Stop Oil and other climate change protest groups, saying that he and the Green Party believe change needs to come at the ballot box, by winning elections and winning power and influence that way.