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Campaign Anti-drilling activists win right to peacefully protest

CAMPAIGNERS celebrated a climbdown by UK Oil and Gas (UKOG) over the most draconian element of its proposed injunction against green campaigners yesterday.

The UKOG attempt to get a sweeping injunction against “persons unknown” to prevent lawful demonstrations at three oil-drilling sites was postponed by the High Court last month and is expected to be heard later in April.

The company is attempting to ban protests at its sites at Broadford Bridge and Markwells Wood sites in West Sussex, Horse Hill in Surrey and its offices in Guildford.

But UKOG has now dropped a proposed restriction on peaceful protesters “combining together using lawful means where the predominant intention is to injure the claimant’s economic interests” from the injunction.

Lorraine Inglis from the Weald Action Group said the UKOG climbdown was “a victory for democracy,” but she warned “the revised draft still retains many elements that would severely restrict our right to legitimate protest.”

She added: “We shall continue to challenge them every step of the way. We’re fighting to protect our countryside and our environment. We can’t let what we feel are bullying tactics stifle our legitimate protest.”

UKOG also removed the Markwells Wood site from the proposed injunction after claiming it no longer had “operational” value.

The High Court heard last month that UKOG planning permission for Markwells Wood had expired.

Emily Mott from Markwells Wood Watch said: “UKOG is fully aware that they are in breach of contract to restore Markwells Wood. Furthermore, they have known since July 2017 that their access to the site was denied.

“We call upon UKOG to restore Markwells Wood and leave our community in peace.”

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