Bristol grandma climbed M25 gantry 'in climate emergency protest'

Gaie Delap is one of 12 Stop Oil protesters accused of breaching a court injunction

A grandmother climbed a motorway gantry in protest against the "climate emergency" not being taken seriously enough, a court has been told.

Retired teacher Gaie Delap, from Bristol, took part in a Just Stop Oil protest on the M25 in November 2022.

She told a judge she did it for the future of her grandchildren.

Ms Delap, 76, is one of 12 Stop Oil protesters accused of breaching a court injunction aimed at restricting protest and disruption on the motorway.

Several junctions across Surrey, London, Essex and Kent were affected by the Just Stop Oil action.

Mr Justice Soole is overseeing a hearing at the High Court in London which is expected to end later this week.

She told the judge on Tuesday a policeman had greeted her with "some surprise".

Six police forces were involved in the operation around the M25

Ms Delap, a mother of two, said she had been given climbing training by a Just Stop Oil mentor before taking part in the protest.

Lawyers representing National Highways said protesters caused "considerable delays" and were in contempt of court.

Ms Delap said she was unaware that an injunction was in place and apologised - other defendants said the same.

She told the judge she had joined the protest after Just Stop Oil called for volunteers.

There were delays for motorists on the M25

"I heard a Just Stop Oil Zoom call for climbers to volunteer," Ms Delap said.

"I thought, well, I am 76, I have never had any climbing experience, I didn't think I had to volunteer for that. But it went onto my mind and stayed there.

"I then followed it up with an inquiry about how I might get involved."

Ms Delap, who said demonstrators had gone to a "safe house" the night before the protest, said she had climbed a ladder and sat on the gantry.

Ms Delap added: "Why did I do it?

"My heart is breaking for the future of my six grandchildren and all future generations."

She told the judge that Just Stop Oil wanted the government to "stop new oil and gas" and said "the climate emergency is a serious issue and it has not been taken seriously enough".

Others protesters accused of contempt at the hearing in the Royal Courts of Justice, in London, are: Charlotte Kirin, 54; Daniel Johnson, 25; Joseph Linhart, 22; Luke Elson, 30; Mair Bain, 36; Paul Bell, 23; Rosemary Jackson, 25; and Theresa Higginson, 25.