Activist pleads not guilty to public order offence at council meeting

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An environmental activist faces court after he disrupted a Norfolk County Council meeting for four hours by singing in the council chamber.

Details: 21.Mar.2019

Robert Possnett said on his crowdfunding page for legal costs that he was arrested and charged under Section 4 of the Public Order Act but “his only action was to sing protest songs”.

The page said: “This is an important case and the prosecution and outcome is likely to impact on other climate activists.

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“Section 4 of the Public Order Act is a relatively serious offence and certainly one of the most serious offences that can be tried in the Magistrates Court. The maximum penalty is six months imprisonment.”

Mr Possnett, who pleaded not guilty last Friday (15 May), seeks to raise £5,000, and has £1,000 so far.

He is due to stand trial in June, the BBC has reported.

Norfolk declined to comment as the case is before the courts. It said on Twitter at the time: “Our annual budget meeting has started four hours late following the climate change protest that disrupted proceedings this morning. We always welcome members of the public who wish to watch democratic debate take place.”

Mark Smulian