VIDEO: EDF appeal thrown-out

Anti-nuclear campaigners have won a High Court victory against energy giant EDF after legal action to ban their protest was thrown out.


EDF took the appeal to the High Court in a bid to prevent Stop Hinkley protestors from accessing its land at Hinkley Point, where it proposes building two nuclear reactors.

However, the Judge Mr Justice Floyd has rejected the injunction on the basis that there was no evidence that the campaign and other organisations intended to encourage illegal activity.

Stop Hinkley spokesman Crispin Aubrey said that the trial marked a “victory for free speech”, adding that “we defend our right to free speech and the right to protest at actions which we consider promote an energy source which is hazardous to the local population and environment, uneconomic and not needed.”

However, a possession order was granted to EDF allowing it to reclaim Langborough Farm, a deserted building on the proposed Hinkley C site which has been occupied by protesters for the past two weeks.

Protester Theo Simon told the court that their action was against the threat by EDF to start major construction work before they have received consent from the Infrastructure Planning Commission. Here is a short video taken at the start of the occupation.

Carys Matthews

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