THREE Just Stop Oil activists became the first to ever be found guilty under Section 7 of the new Public Order Act 2023.

Phoebe Plummer, Chiara Sarti and Daniel Hall were found guilty at Southwark Crown Court on Wednesday afternoon after they were tried for marching for 20 minutes.

In November, they marched down Cromwell Road in London to demand the government end all licences and consents for new oil, gas, and coal projects.

Speaking on the final day of hearings, Ms Plummer said: “During the course of this trial we have had all our legal defences removed and been told that we can not talk about the climate crisis.

“To be honest this trial really isn’t about me or my codefendants, it is about our democracy.

“If we cannot march against injustices then I don’t think we can say we live in a democracy.”

This trial is the first prosecution under Section 7 of the Public Order Act, under acts “which prevent or significantly delay the operation of key infrastructure, including airports, railways, printing presses, and oil and gas infrastructure.”