Greens co-leader condemns M25 protesters' sentences

Green Party co-leader Adrian Ramsay has condemned the jail sentences of up to five years handed to Just Stop Oil protesters who caused gridlock on the M25.

- DAVID MADDOX, ARCHIE MITCHELL

Speaking to The Independent as his party gathered in Manchester for its conference this weekend, Mr Ramsay made it clear he did not agree with the methods of the climate activists but said he thought the prison terms handed out earlier this year were disproportionate. He pointed out that rapists and many of the far-right rioters this summer received less time in jail when they were sentenced.

Mr Ramsay said: “The question is whether the government is taking a proportionate approach. I think I've seen examples of the government being heavy-handed and not being consistent in how different types of sentences are doled out. And I don't think anyone could really genuinely say that a peaceful protest should get a heavier sentence than someone who's a rapist.”