The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Greenpeace handed fine over rig protest
Greenpeace UK has been fined £80,000 after being found guilty of contempt of court for breaching a ban on an oil rig protest.
Judge Lady Wolffe said she considered handing the environmental organisation’s executive director John Sauven a suspended jail sentence but had decided to exercise “leniency”.
The BP rig was bound for the Vorlich oil field in the North Sea when it was occupied by activists in the Cromarty Firth, north of Inverness, on June 9 last year.
Greenpeace ship Arctic Sunrise shadowed the rig and prevented it from reaching the oil field for 12 days.
Rig operators Transocean secured an interim interdict – or temporary ban – with BP’s permission on anyone connected with Greenpeace either boarding the rig or coming within 500 metres of it.
A total of 14 arrests were made at the time.
In a virtual hearing yesterday at Scotland’s highest civil court, the Court of Session, Lady Wolffe said Greenpeace admitted breaching the order on two occasions.
Once as two activists joined others on board the rig on June 14, unfurling a “Climate emergency Greenpeace” banner, and again by sending boats from the Arctic Sunrise after the rig two days later but being “unable to put any protesters on the rig”.
She dismissed the organisation’s argument the breaches did not constitute contempt of court as the protesters were acting of their own choice, saying Greenpeace was “deflecting responsibility” from itself.
The judge said: “Without Greenpeace’s active support and resources, none of those who attempted to board the rig would have been able to do so.
“Greenpeace have exhibited wilful defiance of the order and they are guilty of contempt of court.”
Scone Palace has released further details for visitors after the Perthshire attraction’s gardens and grounds were reopened.
Guests can enjoy a wander through the estate but the palace itself is still off limits. There was some outdoor catering to welcome back visitors but tables and chairs will not be set up until Monday. To ensure safety and avoid overcrowding, all tickets should be booked online in advance.
Lady Mansfield, her son Viscount Stormont William Murray and girlfriend Charlotte with the family dog Camino.