Nottinghamshire Police Statement : NottinghamshirePolice extremely disappointed shame

Power station convictions quashed

Posted on 19th July 2011 14:54

The convictions of 20 climate change activists who were found guilty of planning to break into Ratcliffe on Soar power station have today been quashed by the Court of Appeal.

Appeal court judges ruled the convictions were unsafe and said they would give their full reasons for the decision tomorrow morning (Wed 20 July).

Following the ruling, Nottinghamshire Police said it was “extremely disappointed” with the decision.

The appeals were invited by the Director of Public Prosecutions in April this year, following the conclusion of a review of the original case that he had commissioned from Clare Montgomery QC.

A force statement said: “Despite requests, Nottinghamshire Police has not been allowed to read her review and therefore understand the nature of her concerns which led to the case being heard by the Court of Appeal.

“We will examine in detail today’s judgement in order to understand more fully why 20 individuals who were originally convicted have had those convictions quashed.

“A review into what material was and was not disclosed to defence lawyers at the original trial was conducted by the East Midlands Review Team earlier this year – a copy of which was offered to Miss Montgomery to assist her own review. A second enquiry, being conducted by the Independent Police Complaints Commission, is expected to conclude shortly.

“If, as suggested by the decision of the Court of Appeal, there were errors made in the timelines or thoroughness of material supplied to the defence lawyers at the original trial, we hope these reports will lay that bare in order for the appropriate action to be taken to ensure similar mistakes do not occur in the future.

“We, will, of course, act on any findings that may relate to Nottinghamshire Police.”