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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Politics
Haroon Siddique and Damien Gayle

Colston four: protesters cannot rely on ‘human rights’ defence, top judge rules

Protesters pushing the statue of Edward Colston into Bristol harbour in June 2020.
Four protesters were acquitted for their role in pushing the statue of Edward Colston into Bristol harbour in June 2020. Photograph: Ben Birchall/PA

Protesters accused of “significant” criminal damage cannot rely on human rights protections when on trial, the court of appeal has said.

The ruling comes after the attorney general made a referral on a point of law following the acquittal of the Colston four. Suella Braverman, who is now home secretary, made the referral after Conservative MPs criticised the acquittal of protesters who toppled the Bristol statue of the slave trader Edward Colston.

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