A POOLE councillor has been charged with wilful obstruction of a highway following environmental protests in London.
Felicity Rice, 41 and of Oakdale, was arrested on Saturday, October 29, on suspicion of obstructing a highway amid protests by campaign group Just Stop Oil.
She appeared before Westminster Magistrate’s Court on Monday, November 1, entering a plea of not guilty to the charge of wilful obstruction of a highway.
She was granted unconditional bail and her trial is due to take place on Monday, March 20, 2023.
The Alliance for Local Living Independent councillor for Oakdale and ex-GP is a member of the planning committee and has previously held the post of portfolio holder for environment and climate change.
The Daily Echo has approached Cllr Rice for further comment.
Last night, BCP Council issued a statement. It said: “All councillors are required to abide by the Code of Conduct set out in BCP Council’s Constitution.
"This Code sets out the Seven Principles of Public Life (known as the Nolan Principles) which all councillors must uphold when acting in their capacities as elected representatives.
"The Council ensures that these high standards are maintained through its Monitoring Officer and its Standards committee.”
Protestors from Just Stop Oil staged several demonstrations in the capital over the weekend which included spraying orange paint on prominent buildings and blocking traffic by sitting in the road.
They are demanding that the government commits to ending all new oil and gas projects in the UK.
Reverend Hilary Bond, 57 and a Church of England priest from Wareham, travelled to London over the weekend to take part in a protest.
She said: “We know that the climate crisis is a reality, and we know that it is caused by human intervention and our use of fossil fuels. We need to act now.
“Many of the people who are worst affected by climate change are those who struggle to make their voices heard.
“As a white middle-class woman, I have the privilege of being able to amplify those voices and stand in solidarity with those around the world who are already suffering and dying because of the climate crisis.
“As a Christian, I firmly believe that doing this is my duty.”
Rev Bond told the Echo she went to London “fully prepared” to be arrested, however was spared this by a Metropolitan Police officer.
She said: “The officer who spoke to me was happy to engage and listen, but one person who was within touching distance from me was arrested for doing exactly the same as I was.
“I asked the officer afterwards why, and he said it was down to their individual take on the situation.”
Rev Bond said she receives mixed responses from colleagues and residents in Wareham when they learn of her affiliation with Just Stop Oil.
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