Main image: Trudi Warner, photo credit Good Law Project
The new solicitor general, Sarah Sackman MP, has dropped her Conservative predecessor’s appeal against a High Court ruling which cleared climate protester, Trudi Warner, of contempt of court for holding up a sign.
In March 2023, Trudi Warner held up a placard outside a court stating ‘Jurors, you have an absolute right to acquit a defendant according to your conscience’ – a message that features on a historic plaque at the Old Bailey.
That led to the 69-year-old retired social worker being arrested and the former Conservative solicitor general launching proceedings that resulted in her High Court appearance earlier this year.
‘The challenges ahead will be making everyone aware of the right of jurors to acquit now that it’s absolutely unequivocal. It’s going to be so important in our barely functioning democracy where people are unequal under the law.
‘This principle may already have proved influential in courts where environmental defenders have been on trial, but it is also proving a threat to judges who are partisan and punitive, and appear to be unaccountable.
‘I’m so grateful that the collective efforts of Defend our Juries, Good Law Project, and Hodge Jones and Allen have influenced this wonderful outcome for myself.
‘However, there is much work still to do to empower jurors and address the appalling inequities in our legal system, which is treating young people, in particular, so harshly. Some are in prison for years and I really hope that our collective efforts can support them as effectively as the support I have received. I’m so grateful.’
TRUDI WARNER
Climate crisis protester and retired social worker
At the High Court hearing in April, the judge ruled that there was no basis to take action against Trudi Warner.
He said the government’s claim that her behaviour fell into the category of criminal contempt was ‘fanciful’.
However, the former solicitor general decided to appeal against the High Court’s decision not to allow a contempt of court action against Warner. Warner has spent the past year and a half fearing that she could be sent to prison for two years.
But the decision to drop the appeal by the new solicitor general, appointed under the new Labour government, has meant that her ordeal has finally come to an end.
‘It’s fantastic news that the new solicitor general has dropped her Conservative predecessor’s callous and absurd targeting of Trudi Warner.
‘Trudi can now finally move on from the Kafkaesque nightmare that’s been imposed upon her for the last year and a half.
‘People peacefully protesting and standing up for our planet in the midst of a climate emergency are still being dragged through the courts, while punitive policies put in place by the last government are still in force. We’re hoping to see the new Labour administration now take a more rational approach which defends the right to protest.’
JENNINE WALKER
Good Law Project’s legal manager
Good Law Project and Defend Our Juries have been supporting Trudi Warner in a campaigning capacity throughout the legal proceedings.
Over the last year, hundreds of people have stood outside other courts holding the same sign that Trudi Warner held – without being arrested.
In support and solidarity, they also wrote to the former solicitor general saying he should bring contempt proceedings against them, too. Warner was represented by law firm, Hodge Jones and Allen.
‘Trudi Warner’s courageous action was inspired by the courage of David Nixon, Amy Pritchard and Giovanna Lewis, who were all jailed last year for defying Judge Reid’s order not to mention ‘climate change’ or ‘fuel poverty’ in his courtroom. And Trudi’s courage in turn inspired hundreds of others to risk arrest by replicating her action outside every Crown Court across England and Wales.
‘Today, is a day of celebration, but also a day to remember all those who continue to face violence and oppression for standing up to state repression sponsored by the arms and oil industries. We need to keep coming together to face it down.’
TIM CROSLAND
Director of Plan B and spokesperson for Defend Our Juries
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