It is truly shocking that a person has been tried while being prevented from explaining in court their motivation to the jury (Insulate Britain activist jailed for eight weeks for contempt of court, 7 February). By what definition is this justice? There are possible defences in law to the charge of causing public nuisance in these circumstances, but David Nixon – who had taken part in a road-blocking protest for Insulate Britain – was unrepresented in court.
It is clear to everyone, and should have been clear to the judge, that climate catastrophe will cause considerably more nuisance to all those in the court, and outside the court, than the actions of a climate activist. Nixon was acting on my behalf; we all need to be protected from a myopic government that is hellbent on growth at any cost.
Dennis Leachman
Kingston upon Thames, London
