M25 blocked by Insulate Britain protesters for seventh time as they defy court orders

The protesters have defied a court injunction implemented by Grant Shapps

Environmental group Insulate Britain has defied a court order to block the M25 for the seventh time in two weeks.

The group blocked Junction 3 of the motorway, causing more disruption following an injunction implemented by Grant Shapps and Priti Patel, which would see protesters face prosecution if caught blocking the motorway.

Kent Police confirmed that it was responding to disruption at Junction 3 of the M25.

“We are currently in attendance at J3 of the M25 (Swanley Interchange) due to a group of protesters blocking the roundabout. Please expect delays and find alternative routes if possible whilst we work with @HighwaysSEAST to remove the protesters and reopen the roundabout,” Kent Police wrote on Twitter.

Kent Police announced later in the morning that the junction was now open and 11 arrests were made as a result of the disruption, but delays would still remain due to a backlog of traffic.

Kent Police later confirmed that an additional 16 protesters were arrested following reports that protesters had glued themselves to a road near Swanley roundabout on the same motorway over five hours after the morning’s disruptions. Kent Police said officers were on the scene “within three minutes” and arrested the protesters on suspicion of obstructing the highway and conspiracy to commit criminal damage.

A total of 27 protests were made today.

A spokesperson from Insulate Britain said: “We are going nowhere. You can raid our savings. You can confiscate our property. You can deny us our liberty and put us behind bars.

“But shooting the messenger can never destroy the message: that this country is going to hell unless you take emergency action to stop putting carbon into the air. Boris get on with the job.”

More than 50 people were arrested on Monday following protests blocking roads to Heathrow for more than three hours. However, they were released pending investigation.