Protestor cleared after holding up a 13-word sign for jurors ahead of major trial

A protestor will not face legal action for holding up a sign for jurors ahead of a trial of climate activists.

Trudi Warner, 69, had been accused of contempt of court for displaying the placard outside a court entrance used by the jury. Her message for the members of it read: “Jurors have an absolute right to acquit a defendant according to their conscience.”

Lawyers for the Solicitor General, Robert Courts, asked the High Court for permission to take action against the retired social worker for her “serious interference” with the justice process.

But judge Mr Justice Saini refused the request at the Royal Courts of Justice yesterday. He said Ms Warner, of Walthamstow, East London, had purely “accurately informed potential prospective jurors about one of their legal powers”. The judge added: “At no point did Ms Warner assault, threaten, block, accost or impede anyone’s access to the court.

‘I just wanted to help,’ says Trudi

“Overall, in my judgment, the claim is based on a mischaracterisation of what Ms Warner did that morning and a failure to recognise that what her placard said outside the court reflects essentially what is regularly read on the Old Bailey plaque by jurors.

“And what our highest courts recognise as part of our constitutional landscape.”

Ms Warner had been arrested at the Inner London crown court trial of Insulate Britain members on March 27 last year. She said she was relieved about the ruling, adding: “I just wanted to help. I simply want jurors to know their rights. The power rests with us.”