Brighton MP due in court today over fracking arrest

The Green MP for Brighton Pavilion Caroline Lucas is due in court today (Wednesday 16 October) after being arrested during an anti-fracking protest in Balcombe.

Dr Lucas has said that she intends to plead not guilty to the two charges that she faces at Crawley Magistrates’ Court.

She is accused of obstructing the highway and breaching public order by ignoring a police officer who ordered to move.

She was arrested by Sussex Police on Monday 19 August during a protest against the fracking company Cuadrilla, which carried out test drilling in the Sussex village.

Caroline Lucas at the anti-fracking protest in Balcombe

Fracking – or hydraulic fracturing – is a process used to extract shale gas from deep underground.

The process is widely used in America but has proved to be controversial with critics claiming that it has led to polluted water supplies.

In Blackpool fracking was suspended after it was blamed for a couple of minor earthquakes.

Opponents in Sussex have spoken about their fear of the consequences should fracking cause earth tremors so close to Ardingly reservoir and the Balcombe railway viaduct.

Cuadrilla said that the process was safe and its operations in Balcombe were legal.