Jail term for climate protester, 77, is disproportionate, says Carla Denyer | Just Stop Oil

A 20-month prison sentence handed to a 77-year-old woman for a climate protest on the M25 is disproportionate, unjust and a waste of resources, the Green MP Carla Denyer has said.

In a letter to Yvette Cooper, the home secretary, Denyer called the jailing of Gaie Delap three weeks ago “an example of an ongoing and serious problem with disproportionate sentencing for climate activists”.

Delap, from Bristol, was sent to prison three weeks ago for her part in a campaign of disruptive protests on the M25 in November 2022.

Denyer, recently elected as the MP for Bristol Central, said she had “deep concern” over the “disproportionate sentence” given to her constituent, whose actions were “entirely peaceful and non violent and designed to draw attention to the threat posed by the climate emergency”.

Pointing out that Delap’s protest was intended to force the government’s hand into a ban on new fossil fuel exploration in the North Sea, Denyer added: “As you will be aware, your government has rightly opted not to issue new licences, meaning that Gaie and her fellow protesters have been jailed for advocating for a position aligning with Labour’s own plans.

“So whilst I am encouraged that your government has taken this step towards protecting the environment, Gaie’s disproportionate sentencing neither constitutes justice nor is necessary as a means of discouraging participation in further action to stop new oil and gas extraction.”

Delap was among several dozen Just Stop Oil supporters who, during a four-day protest campaign, climbed gantries over the M25, which encircles London, forcing police to stop traffic and leaving an estimated 709,000 drivers stuck in tailbacks.

Five campaigners identified as ringleaders were jailed last month for a total of 21 years over the protests. Trials of more alleged ringleaders and gantry climbers are scheduled for the coming months.

Denyer said the “desperation” that drove Delap to take part in action over the climate was “shared by many, both in my own constituency and nationally” and was “completely understandable”.

“I’d also argue that the substantial cost of Gaie’s custodial sentence is a waste of resources,” Denyer added.

“At a time when government departments are facing further cuts and the prison estate is so overcrowded that some offenders are being released early, imprisoning a peaceful climate protester such as Gaie represents an unnecessary drain on public funds and ill-judged use of limited prison capacity.”

The Home Office has been contacted for comment.