Judge Ditches Just Stop Oil Protest Case at British Open
A judge has thrown out the public nuisance case against three Just Stop Oil activists who disrupted the 2023 British Open golf tournament. Judge Gary Woodhall ruled the brief protest didn’t meet the legal bar for public nuisance.
Golfers Interrupted by Powder and Smoke
George Birch, Noah Crane, and Lucy Timlin caused a stir at liverpool/" title="Liverpool" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked">Liverpool Golf Club in Hoylake on 21 July 2023. During the high-profile event watched by thousands, they threw orange powder, ignited a smoke flare, and sat on the course to highlight the climate crisis. Despite the spectacle, Judge Woodhall said the short disruption wasn’t enough to convict.
“While visible and symbolic, the protest’s brief nature fell short of the public nuisance standard,” the judge stated.
Activists Claim Victory, Call for More Action
The trio, who pleaded not guilty, say their campaign helped push climate issues into the spotlight. In a joint statement, they said:
“Just Stop Oil’s actions moved the debate on oil and gas licences from the shadows to centre stage. Labour’s 2024 pledge to end new licences is a direct result. We are not guilty—we helped prevent 4.4 billion barrels of oil extraction, a major public good.”
Olympian James Brown backed the verdict:
“These three should be hailed, not hauled to court. Climate collapse threatens sports and everything we love. Ending oil and gas is the only way to protect events like the British Open.”
Just Stop Oil Slams Prosecution, Eyes Bigger Targets
Just Stop Oil accused the Crown Prosecution Service of going overboard with charges against peaceful protesters.
“Charging activists with severe offences highlights the immorality of criminalising climate warnings while allowing environmental destruction,” a spokesperson said.
The group celebrated the government’s 2024 commitment to ending new oil and gas licences as a win for their campaign. They now plan fresh protests in April, demanding a full halt to oil, gas, and coal extraction by 2030.
