AN ACTIVIST facing a prison sentence has condemned his trial as a “shambles” after the judge barred protesters from mounting a defence that they were opposing climate change.

Daniel Hall was one of three activists from Just Stop Oil found guilty at Southwark Crown Court on May 15 after they were tried for staging a 20-minute protest march along Cromwell Road in London. The rally was to demand the government end all licences and consents for new oil, gas, and coal projects.

The trial was the first prosecution under Section 7 of the Public Order Act 2023, relating to actions “which prevent or significantly delay the operation of key infrastructure, including airports, railways, printing presses and oil and gas infrastructure.”