ELEVEN people were arrested simply for holding signs outside Southwark Crown Court on Tuesday afternoon, while climate activists were on trial inside.

Protesters held signs reading “Juries deserve to hear the whole truth” and “Juries have the absolute right to acquit a defendant on their conscience” as a trial took place in which activists have been banned from talking about the impact of climate breakdown to jurors.

They were arrested on suspicion of contempt of court following instructions from Judge Hehir, who had been overseeing the trial. He described the sign-holders as “trouble-makers.”