Activists deny conspiracy to damage buildings

EXTINCTION Rebellion members are facing charges regarding alleged plans to vandalise the headquarters of trade unions.

Five individuals - including one of the co-founders of Extinction Rebellion, Roger Hallam, as well as a 61-year-old from Bristol - appeared in court relating to charges surrounding an alleged plan to damage the buildings of trade unions with paint.

Diana Warner, 61, of Filton Avenue, Bristol, was one of five people arrested by the Metropolitan Police in August.

Wood Green Crown Court was told the individuals were involved in an alleged plot which was part of work by the political party Beyond Politics - a political party set up by Extinction Rebellion members.

The prosecution told the court the group planned to target the buildings of trade unions including the offices of the British Medical Association - the body that represents doctors - as a result of a lack of promoting climate change prevention measures.

Along with Warner and Hallam, 54; Ferhat Ulusu, 42; Holly Brentnall, 29, and Steven Nunn, 56, were also arrested and charged.

Warner, along with Hallamand Ulusu, both London, deny conspiracy and will appear at Wood Green Crown Court on November 27.

While Brentnall, of London, and Nunn, of Telford, have not entered pleas and will also appear in court on Friday, November 6.