PM Faces Call to Ban Just Stop Oil After Dartford Chaos
Dartford MP Demands Crackdown
Gareth Johnson, former justice minister and Dartford MP, slammed environmental activists for shutting down the Dartford Crossing last month, sparking “days of chaos.” Speaking at Prime Minister’s Questions, Johnson hit out at the disruptive group Just Stop Oil. He urged Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to outlaw them, saying:
“These people are criminals, not protesters. Will the Prime Minister consider making Just Stop Oil a proscribed organisation to treat them as the criminal organisation that they are?”
PM Vows Police Backing Against Disruptive Protests
Sunak responded firmly, highlighting the government’s full support for the police dealing with these “reckless and illegal” protests. He said:
“The kinds of demonstrations we’ve seen recently disrupt people’s daily lives, cause mass misery for the public, and put people in danger. We fully support the police in their efforts to minimise disruption and combat reckless and illegal activity.”
Just Stop Oil’s Campaign Sparks Fury
Just Stop Oil has ramped up civil resistance and direct actions to block new gas and oil projects. Their stunts include climbing the Dartford Crossing, attacking artworks, and causing chaos on the M25 – all designed to cause maximum misery and mayhem.
New Laws on the Horizon
Sunak pointed to the upcoming Public Order Bill, which will give police extra powers to tackle these protests. Meanwhile, the Home Secretary holds powers under the Terrorism Act 2000 to proscribe groups involved in terrorism if appropriate – a legal option some MPs believe should apply to Just Stop Oil.
