Extinction Rebellion London: Met Police 'ban' on protests will continue over weekend as judge delays judicial review

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Scotland Yard’s controversial “ban” on the Extinction Rebellion protests will stand this weekend after a judge refused to hear a judicial review bid until next week.

Lawyers for the climate change activists have lodged a judicial review against the Met’s imposition of an order aimed at preventing disruption across London this week.

Phillippa Kaufmann QC, representing a collection of activists including Green Party peer Baroness Jenny Jones and Guardian journalist George Monbiot, asked for a fast-tracked hearing tomorrow to determine the case.

But Mr Justice Dingemans rejected the idea this afternoon, saying he was worried a judge could make a mistake if rushed into a decision.

Extinction Rebellion at Canning Town - In pictures

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“I’m wholly unconvinced this is a case where it is right to speed up the process as quickly as that”, he told the High Court this afternoon.

“These are important points, both for the complainants and the defendant, on the construction of a criminal statute.”

He said the arguments must be “fairly determined” once evidence has been fully prepared and presented, so that “justice can be done”, and said mistakes would have ramifications for those arrested and facing criminal proceedings.

The effect of today’s ruling is that the section 14 order brought in by the Met this week to tackle the Extinction Rebellion ‘autumn uprising’ will continue to stand until 6pm on Saturday.

Extinction Rebellion London Protests: October 2019 - In pictures

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Protests and disruption had been planned by the activists over the next two days, but anyone joining in the demonstrations will face arrest if they refuse police requests to leave.

Baroness Jones said they believe the police ‘ban’ is “an abuse of the law and in violation of fundamental human rights”.

Ms Kaufmann said the judicial review argument will focus on the Met’s assessment that the whole Extinction Rebellion movement can be assessed as a “single assembly” rather than several different and distinct protests.

She wanted the case determined quickly so that protests on Friday and Saturday could take place with a “clear understanding” of police powers.

George Thomas, for the Met, told the court there is evidence of the activists planning to “act like water” to combat police attempts to break up the protests, moving swiftly to different parts of London and with different people.

And he insisted to the court: “Lawful protest by Extinction Rebellion has not been banned – (the order) does not prevent protests to raise awareness of action against climate change taking place over the next two days.”

Police have continued to arrest demonstrators under the section 14 powers despite the judicial review bid, including taking Mr Monbiot into custody yesterday. He was released under investigation last night.

The judge is expected to make orders this afternoon for the preparation of the case, which is likely to be heard on Wednesday or Thursday next week.

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