Brighton MP to fight anti-fracking protest charges

The Green MP for Brighton Pavilion Caroline Lucas is to fight charges resulting from her arrest during the anti-fracking protests in Balcombe.

The Brighton and Hove Independent reported today (Friday 11 October) that Dr Lucas had decided to plead not guilty at a hearing before magistrates next week.

She will be tried on two charges but the case is not expected to be heard until next year.

Dr Lucas was arrested with 29 other protesters and subsequently charged with obstructing the highway and a public order offence of failing to comply with police instructions.

Both offences are alleged to have taken place on Monday 19 August.

Her decision to fight the charges is disclosed in an open letter to her constituents in which she explains what led her to do what she did outside the Cuadrilla drilling site.

In the letter Dr Lucas said: “The campaign to reduce the threat of climate change has been incredibly important to me throughout my political life.”

Dr Lucas, who is being advised by Kellys Solicitors, of Brighton, is expected to enter her not guilty plea at a hearing at Crawley Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (16 October).

In her open letter she alluded to Mahatma Gandhi’s belief that “silence becomes cowardice when occasion demands speaking out the whole truth and acting accordingly”.

She also assured constituents her work as an MP will not be affected.

She wrote: “There is a proud tradition of non-violent direct action in this country.

“In joining the peaceful protest, I wanted to send a clear message to the government and to support the people at the proposed fracking site in Balcombe who were standing up to be counted.”

The Brighton and Hove Independent quoted one of her political rivals on the impending trial.

Clarence Mitchell, the Conservative parliamentary candidate for Brighton Pavilion, said: “Voters in Brighton Pavilion would want her to be working on behalf of the constituency, not getting arrested for whatever reason, in whatever cause.”