Weymouth M25 protestor ends prison hunger strike
Emma Smart's finished her 26-day fast after a letter from South Dorset MP Richard Drax
A Weymouth Insulate Britain protestor has ender her 26-day prison hunger strike after a letter from South Dorset MP Richard Drax.
The Conservative MP for South Dorset wrote to express concern for Emma’s welfare and to request a visit, which is likely to happen within a couple of weeks.
Emma, 44, from Weymouth, Dorset is almost four weeks into a four month prison sentence for contempt of court for breaking the National Highways M25 injunction. She has been under medical supervision at HMP Bronzefield since 26th November.
Emma began her hunger strike asking the government to meet Insulate Britain’s demands and take the first meaningful step to reduce carbon emissions by up to 20% by insulating the UK’s housing stock, starting with social housing by 2025.
Speaking from HMP Bronzefield Emma said:
“I have ended my hunger strike after 26 days, one day for every failed COP meeting since the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change was signed. I remain proud of my actions with Insulate Britain and will continue to do all that I can to pressure our government to live up to its duty to protect the people from climate collapse.”
“I welcome the approach from my MP, Sir Richard Drax and look forward to meeting him to discuss Insulate Britain’s demands. I hope that he is prepared to listen and also to convey to the government the absolute gravity of our situation. The next three to four years will determine the future of humanity, so this is no time for half-hearted measures. Boris needs to get on with the job.”
A second Insulate Britain supporter, Dr Ben Buse, 36, a university researcher from Bristol, also recently ended his hunger strike which began on 25th November.
Ben is due to appear at the High Court in London tomorrow along with eight new defendants from Insulate Britain on a further charge of contempt of court for breaking the government’s injunctions.
The other eight supporters summoned to the High Court tomorrow are Steve Gower 54, Ruth Jarman 58, Biff Whipster 54, Richard Ramsden 75, Stephen Pritchard 62, Dr Diana Warner 62, Paul Sheeky 46 and Reverend Sue Parfitt 79.