A grandmother who was imprisoned for participating in a climate protest is now taking legal action against the UK government, alleging false imprisonment. Gaie Delap, aged 79, a retired teacher from Bristol, received a 20-month sentence for climbing gantries over the M25 motorway in November 2022 as part of a Just Stop Oil demonstration.
Details of the Case
Delap was initially released to serve the remainder of her sentence under home detention curfew. However, she was forced back into custody when Serco, the prison contractor, could not find a wrist tag that would fit her. Due to a medical condition—deep vein thrombosis—she was unable to wear an ankle monitor. The Ministry of Justice (MOJ) is now being sued by Delap, who claims she was unlawfully detained.
Legal Representation
The retired teacher is being represented by the Good Law Project. In a statement, Delap criticized the justice system, saying: “When a state would rather lock up a grandmother than confront the crises we are protesting about, the justice system itself has failed.”
Government Response
Last year, a Ministry of Justice spokesperson acknowledged the shortcomings of the prison system for women, stating: “The prisons this government inherited are not working for most women. That’s why the Lord Chancellor has launched a new Women’s Justice Board to reduce the number of women in prison, and better support those who must still be imprisoned.”
Delap was one of 16 individuals jailed for their involvement in the M25 protest, which caused significant disruption. The case highlights ongoing debates about the treatment of environmental activists and the suitability of alternative sentencing measures.
