CPS: DPP invites appeal convictions, Ratcliffe Protests

The Director of Public Prosecutions, Keir Starmer QC, has written to the legal representatives of 20 protestors convicted of conspiracy to commit aggravated trespass after a protest at Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station, inviting them to appeal the convictions.

On 28 January 2011, Mr Starmer asked Clare Montgomery QC to review the case of those protestors convicted in December last year. Ms Montgomery has now completed her review and given her conclusions to the DPP. Mr Starmer said:

“I instructed Ms Montgomery to review the safety of the convictions of the individuals convicted at Nottingham Crown Court on 14 December 2010 in light of non-disclosure of material relating to the activities of an undercover police officer.

“Ms Montgomery has now completed her review and, having carefully considered her conclusions, I believe that the safety of the convictions should be considered by the Court of Appeal as soon as possible.