This is an update on an article published in February 2024 which explained why the author and others protested in support of Trudi Warner for her right to protest.
Background
The week starting 15 April saw silent vigils outside all the Crown Courts around England and Wales and then (less silently since there was no jury sitting to risk being accused of subverting) at the Royal Courts of Justice on Monday 22 April to hear the result from the Solicitor General’s application for permission to prosecute retired social worker, Trudi Warner.
Trudi was arrested after she held up a handwritten sign outside Inner London Crown Court ahead of an Insulate Britain trial, on 27 March 2023. The sign read: “Jurors you have an absolute right to acquit a defendant according to your conscience”. The sign referred to a plaque in the Old Bailey acknowledging a case from 1670, known as Bushell’s Case, in which a jury refused a judge’s direction to find the defendants guilty – a legal landmark for the independence of juries in England and Wales.
Why I spent three days sitting in front of courts
I felt it symbolically very important that all the crown courts were covered to show how there was no disruption to their functioning due to my protest and that the prosecution of Trudi really was barking mad!
Oxford is my local court so a group of us sat there for the third time since Trudi’s arrest. It was rather wet but contemplative.
Author and friends outside Oxford crown court © Jessica Upton
Southampton and the Isle of Wight crown courts didn’t look like they were going to be covered by anyone else, so I decided a day trip was in order and thankfully my friend Ines Smyth was willing and able to join me. We were joined by local folk for a sunny morning sitting outside Southampton Crown Court.
On the Isle of Wight we also protested outside the Crown Court. Myself, a veterinary surgeon and foster carer, and Ines Smyth, a development worker and wild swimmer from Oxford.
Author protests and Ines Smyth swims
Isle of Wight – © Jessica Upton.
Then on 18 April we were at the Royal Courts of Justice in London.
Protesters and Trudi Warner at Royal Courts of Justice
18 April 2024 – © Jessica Upton
The verdict
Judge Saini was deciding on the case. His verdict, given on 22 April, was that:
“The Solicitor General’s case does not disclose a reasonable basis for committal … the conduct did not amount to an act of contempt … I refuse the Solicitor General permission to proceed, and I dismiss the claim.”
Our resolve to be present at these centres of justice was in solidarity with Trudi Warner, whose case was thrown out by Judge Saini as “fanciful”. Justice had prevailed!
Ed: See also our article relating this case to that of Edward Bushell in 1670.
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