The calls relates to an incident at the, e.on owned power station, at Ratcliffe on Soar which was the subject of protest action in 2009.

Arrests followed the action and 20 people were subsequently convicted of aggravated trespass, however it then turned out an undercover policeman had played a major role in driving the protest forward.

The director of public prosecutions, Keir Starmer QC, ordered an investigation into the case earlier this year.

Today (April 18) Mr Starmer announced he was writing to the legal representatives of the 20 protestors inviting them to appeal the convictions.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) can only appeal to the Court of Appeal in circumstances that Mr Starmer claims are ‘not met’ in this case.

Mr Starmer said: “In my letter I have invited the defence to lodge an appeal and to include the issue of non-disclosure of material relating to the activities of an undercover police officer in any grounds of appeal.

“I have also indicated that the CPS will assist in any steps necessary to expedite the appeal.

“I am satisfied that, despite the on-going reviews into what happened in this case, this is the only proper course of action.

“It would be wrong if, having reached this conclusion, I waited until the reviews were completed before contacting the defence about a possible appeal.”

Luke Walsh

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