Climate activists cleared in UK of charges in rooftop protest at Sunak's estate
The IndependentFor free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails 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 }} Four Greenpeace activists arrested for scaling the country estate of former U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and draping it in black fabric to protest his plan to expand oil and gas drilling in the North Sea have been cleared of criminal charges. Judge Adrian Lower in York Magistrates’ Court threw out the charges Friday after finding the evidence was too “tenuous” to convict them of criminal damage for allegedly cracking tiles on Sunak's slate roof in North Yorkshire. Earlier that week, Sunak — a Conservative who was ousted in July this year by Labour Party leader Keir Starmer — had announced that Britain would grant hundreds of new oil and gas licenses in the North Sea, a move widely criticized for reversing the government’s pledge to eliminate net carbon emissions by 2050.
History of this topic
Chris Packham ‘surprised Sunak didn’t have more security’ after Greenpeace stunt
The Independent
Greenpeace protesters bailed following roof-top protest at PM’s home
The Independent
Rishi Sunak's London home draped in black by protesters over oil policy
Firstpost
Greenpeace demonstrators drape UK prime minister’s house in black to protest oil expansion
Associated Press
Greenpeace demonstrators drape U.K. prime minister’s house in black to protest oil expansion
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