Colston Four acquittal to be referred to court of appeal

Suella Braverman will ask appeal judges whether defendants can cite their human rights as a defence in a case of criminal damage. Photograph: Finnbarr Webster/Getty

The attorney general has referred the case of four protesters cleared of the toppling of the statue of the slave trader Edward Colston to the court of appeal for legal direction.

In a rare move, which cannot reverse the not guilty verdicts, Suella Braverman is to ask appeal judges for clarification on whether defendants can cite their human rights as a defence in a case of criminal damage.