Arrested Insulate Britain protestors say they have been released without ...

Arrested Insulate Britain protestors say they have been released without ...
Arrested Insulate Britain protestors say they have been released without ...
What do the injunctions mean and what could now happen to the protesters?

What is the injunction? 

The High Court orders prohibit protesters from 'blocking, endangering, slowing down, preventing, or obstructing traffic on the M25' and A20 near Dover. 

How will activists be punished? 

Anyone from the group who tries to protest on the M25 or A20 will be in contempt of court. 

The protesters are now likely to be hauled before a judge, who could sentence them to two years in prison and an unlimited fine.   

Are there any loopholes? 

It is only in place for the M25 and A20, meaning protesters could get around it by taking their disruptive actions to a different road. 

Advertisement

Insulate Britain says its activists are still being released without conditions despite breaking a High Court injunction forbidding them from blocking motorways. 

It comes after the Metropolitan Police arrested 53 members of the eco mob on Monday as they blocked the M25 for a sixth time. 

The injunction, ordered by the High Court, was designed to act as a deterrent after weeks of blockades have infuriated motorists and large portions of the British public. 

But news that the eco-warriors are being released without conditions, reported by LBC, raises fears that the widely-hated group will continue to wreak havoc by obstructing traffic and putting drivers' lives at risk. 

The Metropolitan Police told the Mail Online it could not comment on the breaking of the injunction, adding that it was a 'civil issue'.  

Meanwhile Insulate Britain spokesman Liam Norton said the group was not 'scared' of the injunction in a video released on Monday.

He said: 'You can't scare us with these injunctions. 

'We just want the Government to stop the deaths of thousands of elderly who freeze to death every year.'

It comes after Met Police today faced calls to keep the Insulate Britain activists behind bars.

The hated eco mob had formed a barricade at junction 14 by Heathrow Airport at around 8.20am - with more than 50 protesters again putting drivers' lives at risk by running into moving traffic and using superglue to bind themselves onto the tarmac.

National Highways were granted injunctions to prevent people obstructing the M25 and A20 following further demonstrations at the Port of Dover on Friday. 

At 11am, the Met said traffic had begun flowing again after officers arrested 53 people and took them custody. 

They now risk being prosecuted for contempt of court and hauled before a judge, who could sentence them to two years in jail and an unlimited fine. 

There will be fresh anger at the presence of several familiar faces at today's blockade, many of whom have now been arrested for a sixth time. 

These include property tycoon Joshua Smith, 28. He was branded a hypocrite after it emerged he owned a multi-million pound housing empire - but the homes had poor insulation, an issue at the heart of the group's agenda.  

Another repeat offender is the Rev Tim Hewes, 71. He was criticised by the Diocese of Oxford for his role blocking roads earlier this month, with a spokesman saying it did not support breaking the law and was 'unclear' how his actions had helped promote his cause.

More than 200 people have been arrested at Insulate Britain blockades in previous weeks only to be released under investigation and turn up at other protests.  

Today an Insulate Britain source told MailOnline the majority of those present today are on their sixth arrest.  

Hugh Bladon, from the Alliance of British Drivers, told MailOnline today: 'They need to be sent straight to jail. Do not pass go or collect £200 - go to prison for at least six months. 

'These people are making a complete ass of the laws in this country, quite apart from the damage they are causing to people's lives.'   

The group's hypocrite spokesman Liam Norton - who became a national laughing stock laugh week after storming off Good Morning Britain when he was quizzed on claims his own home hadn't been insulated - vowed he and his fellow eco loons would continue breaking the law and 'aren't going anywhere'. 

Dr Diana Warner, 62, a retired GP from Bristol, today said she was at her fifth motorway blockade. 'I'm here because of desperation, it's not an easy thing to do,' she said. 'This is the fifth time I've been here trying to block a motorway because the only way to get the Government to listen is to disrupt things.'

Frustrated motorists branded the protesters as 'ridiculous' and some got out of their vehicles to argue with them. 

After being told by the group about their environmental concerns for the future, one woman replied: 'I've got to feed my kids now, I need my money now, to feed my kids now, but you don't get that. You don't get it. If you did, you wouldn't be blocking normal people like me, trying to get to work to feed my kids. You're ridiculous, go somewhere else and stop stopping people going to work.' 

Last week, woman had to be airlifted to hospital after a multi-vehicle crash blamed on the protesters and a son said he watched his mother suffer a stroke while stuck in six-hour queues on the way to hospital, leaving her paralysed. 

Scroll down for video.  

Joshua Smith at today's protest

He was branded a hypocrite after it emerged he owned a multi-million pound housing empire - but the homes had poor insulation, an issue at the heart of the group's agenda

Joshua Smith at today's protest (left) on what is now his sixth arrest. Mr Smith (seen right at an earlier demonstration) was branded a hypocrite after it emerged he owned a multi-million pound housing empire - but the homes had poor insulation, an issue at the heart of the group's agenda

Vicar Tim Hewes today

He was spotted at an earlier blockade

Vicar Tim Hewes (left) was among the selfish rabble today after being spotted at earlier blockade (right) 

Police officers detain protesters from Insulate Britain occupying a roundabout leading from the M25 motorway to Heathrow Airport in London this morning

Police officers detain protesters from Insulate Britain occupying a roundabout leading from the M25 motorway to Heathrow Airport in London this morning 

The hated mob loaded fresh misery onto drivers with yet another selfish protest today, with 52 activists involved, according to a press release

The hated mob loaded fresh misery onto drivers with yet another selfish protest today, with 52 activists involved, according to a press release 

Drivers stand watching from their cars as traffic is halted during a roadblock by protesters from Insulate Britain today

Drivers stand watching from their cars as traffic is halted during a roadblock by protesters from Insulate Britain today 

A handcuffed protester is held by the verge by police. He was smattered with superglue - which the group regularly uses to make it harder for officers to move them

A handcuffed protester is held by the verge by police. He was smattered with superglue - which the group regularly uses to make it harder for officers to move them 

Four officers carry away a woman who was blocking the roundabout leading from the M25 motorway to Heathrow Airport

Four officers carry away a woman who was blocking the roundabout leading from the M25 motorway to Heathrow Airport 

National Highways were granted injunctions to prevent people obstructing the M25 and A20 following further demonstrations at the Port of Dover on Friday. These mean activists involved in today's protest could face time in prison

National Highways were granted injunctions to prevent people obstructing the M25 and A20 following further demonstrations at the Port of Dover on Friday. These mean activists involved in today's protest could face time in prison

Arrested for a SIXTH time after being repeatedly let go: Eco-hypocrite property tycoon among repeated offenders laughing at the law 

Joshua Smith has now been arrested six times. He was branded a hypocrite after it emerged he owned a multi-million pound property empire - but the homes had poor insulation, an issue at the heart of the group's agenda.

The 28-year-old is heir to a £2million property empire and also has a seven-figure portfolio of his own. However, at least six homes owned by his Oldham-based company have efficiency ratings of E or F, according to the Sun.

This means the properties boast little or no insulation and also produce large quantities of extra carbon dioxide. Smith was pictured being held by police by the side of the M25 today before being led off in a police van. 

Joshua Smith at today's protest

Joshua Smith at today's protest 

Reverend Hewes, who once sewed up his lips in protest at the influence of media mogul Rupert Murdoch, was part of the mob blocking the M25 today despite already being arrested numerous times. 

The activist 'permission to officiate' in the Diocese of Oxford although he does not have a parish.

Asked about Rev Hewes last week, a spokesman for the diocese said: 'The actions of Rev Hewes and others, while arguably well-intentioned, have frustrated many people and we're unclear how the actions have been productive in encouraging the urgent change required.' 

Rev Hewes, a retired dentist, previously said the Bishop of Dorchester, Gavin Collins, who comes under the Diocese of Oxford, had told him 'he does support issues regarding climate change and the environment but not about breaking the law'. 

Reverend Hewes at today's blockade

Reverend Hewes at today's blockade 

Advertisement

Insulate Britain, an offshoot of Extinction Rebellion, is calling for the Government to insulate homes in the UK to help cut carbon emissions.

Today its spokesman Liam Norton insisted court orders would not have any effect, saying: 'You can throw as many injunctions at us as you like, but we are going nowhere. 'You can raid our savings and confiscate our property. You can deny us our liberty and put us behind bars. But that is only shooting the messenger.

'The truth is that this country is going to hell unless you take emergency action to stop putting carbon into the air.' 

Speaking at the scene of the protest after having been placed under caution, Mr Norton said the group's demands were 'simple' and a 'no-brainer'.

'History will look upon this Government as cowardly because they are unable to stand up to powerful interests and are currently not looking after the British people.

'They will be looked on as traitors for not fulfilling their primary responsibilities, and participating in the destruction of this country.'  

During his disastrous appearance on GMB last week, the 36-year-old plumber extraordinarily compared himself to Sir Winston Churchill. 

Asked about whether the group was happy to break a court injunction,

read more from dailymail.....

NEXT Doctors first 'dismissed' this young girl's cancer symptom before her parents ... trends now