Ineos shale gas sites: Anti-fracking protest injunctions continued

Ineos has exploration rights in Cheshire, Merseyside, Yorkshire, the East Midlands and Scotland

An injunction prohibiting trespass and obstruction at an energy firm's shale gas exploration sites has been continued by a High Court judge.

Anti-fracking groups had challenged orders granted in July covering activities at Ineos's sites.

Mr Justice Morgan said an order was needed as the sites faced an "imminent and real" risk of interference.

However, he said the firm had not "demonstrated a need" to make a specific order against harassment.

Ineos is the biggest owner of shale gas licences in the UK with exploration rights in Cheshire, Merseyside, Yorkshire, the East Midlands and Scotland.

'Unlawful behaviour'

The injunctions, which were previously extended in September, were originally brought to stop protest tactics such as walking and lying in front of lorries.

Speaking at a hearing in October, the energy firm's representative Alan Maclean QC said shale gas extraction was "a contentious issue", but its merits were not for a court to determine.

However, arguing for one of the protesters, lawyer Rosa Curling said a "right to protest" was a "fundamental aspect of peaceful political action in our society".

Delivering his judgement, Mr Justice Morgan said the firm's activities were "lawful" and the protesters' "means of putting pressure on Ineos involve unlawful behaviour on their part, including criminal acts".

He added if such activities were "restrained, as I hold that they can be, by an order which is clear and precise", there was not a need to make a requested order against harassment.