Appeal against Colston 4 verdict may be ditched
PLANS to take the acquittal of the “Colston 4” to the Court of Appeal may be ditched by the Government because of the consequences of losing.
Attorney General Suella Braverman indicated she was prepared to challenge the jury decision to acquit the four protesters who pulled down Edward Colston’s statue in Bristol.
Lawyers acting for the four had argued their actions were justified because of Colston’s involvement in the slave trade. Members of the jury were warned that they “do not want to be on the wrong side of history” before making their decision.
The verdict was applauded by supporters but branded perverse by critics.
It followed two prior jury decisions to acquit Extinction Rebellion activists.
However, Ms Braverman is now said to be hesitating about challenging the Colston 4 verdict.
A source said: “The biggest concern is that if the appeal fails it could set a legal precedent.
“At the moment we have ‘perverse’ jury verdicts which can be ignored.
“But if an appeal goes wrong then the reasons for acquittal could gain legal standing. Also, more importantly, it would be very hard to appeal against such results again.”
The source added: “I believe she is
still minded to go ahead with the appeal but it needs to be looked at carefully.”
On Friday, Reverend Sue Parfitt, 79, Father Martin Newell, 54, and former university lecturer Philip Kingston, 85, were acquitted of obstructing the railway following their Extinction Rebellion climate protest at Shadwell, in east London, on October 17, 2019.
Mr Kingston had glued himself to a Docklands Light Railway train while the two clerics had jumped on the roof and said prayers at 7am, as rush hour was getting under way.
Speaking after the acquittal, Rev Parfitt said: “It’s wonderful that the jury saw the bigger picture, that the
court has vindicated our action, and we hope it in some small way inspires others to feel that there may be sacrifices to be made, perhaps particularly by people of faith.”
The decisions have led to calls to increase the powers for the Attorney General to seek an appeal against what Tory MPS have described as “perverse” jury verdicts.
There are fears that growing militancy among activists, including Extinction Rebellion and Insulate Britain, will put lives at risk as well as threaten transport links and the wider economy.
Ms Braverman already has some leeway to look at whether results can be examined again, mainly over whether the judge correctly directed the jury.