Extinction Rebellion co-founder Roger Hallam has been remanded in custody for almost a month accused of plotting to cause chaos on the M25.
The 56-year-old, of Macleod Street, Walworth, was arrested along with seven others as part of a major police operation to crack down on those suspected of planning to take part in Just Stop Oil demonstrations on England’s busiest motorway this week.
Just Stop Oil is using the demonstrations to call on the Government to halt new oil and gas licences.
Hallam appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday charged with conspiracy to cause a public nuisance.
He wore a navy shirt and grey trousers, with his hair tied back in a ponytail.
Tim Hewes, 72, of New Road, Wantage, and Daniel Shaw, 36, of Adam’s Avenue, Northampton, also appeared in court on the same charge.
District Judge Nina Tempia sent their cases to be dealt with at Southwark Crown Court on December 6.
Hallam, Shaw and Hewes were remanded in custody until that hearing.
If convicted in the crown court, they face a maximum penalty of five years in prison.
Five others have also been charged with conspiracy to cause a public nuisance.
They are: Christopher White, 29, of Summerhouse View, Yeovil, Somerset; Karen Matthews, 60, of Sywell Road, Overstone, Northamptonshire; Ian Bates, 63, of Clarke Road, Northampton; Alexander Wilcox, 21, of Billing Road, Northampton; and Louise Lancaster, 57, of Burnt Close, Cambridge.
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