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Wales Online
4 days ago
- Wales Online
Undercover operation foils Just Stop Oil's plot to disrupt Manchester Airport
Undercover operation foils Just Stop Oil's plot to disrupt Manchester Airport Four members of the Just Stop Oil (JSO) movement were stopped by police before they could carry out their plan to cause 'chaos' during the busy summer period Indigo Rumbelow pictured on bodyworn footage when she was arrested (Image: GMP ) On an early August morning, a group of four set off for Manchester Airport. This is a familiar scene for many families heading off on their holiday, hopping into a taxi before sunrise to maximise their day at the final destination. But this group of four weren't looking forward to an afternoon by the pool or a dip in the sea. Their pre-dawn taxi ride was actually a covert operation by police officers who had been tipped off about the Just Stop Oil (JSO) scheme to target the airport and were swooping in just in time. The airport now estimates that the environmental activism group's plan would have impacted 'tens of thousands' of passengers. Had they not been intercepted on a Gatley street before reaching Ringway, the four protestors intended to breach the perimeter fence and glue themselves to the taxiway, reports the Manchester Evening News . For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here A plot by Just Stop Oil activists to disrupt flights at Manchester Airport could have caused 'chaos,' a judge said, potentially leaving families stranded in departure lounges at the height of the summer holidays. But the group's intention, the court heard, was to create widespread disruption and draw media attention to their cause. The attempt to target the airport marked a notable escalation in JSO's ongoing campaign of direct action, which the group recently announced would come to an end. Over the past three years, JSO protests have focused on demanding an end to new fossil fuel licensing, using civil resistance tactics that included blocking major roads, interrupting sporting events, and demonstrations at cultural landmarks. Some of those convicted had taken part in earlier protests. Daniel Knorr was one of two activists who entered the pitch during the 2023 Ashes test at Lord's, and was later convicted of aggravated trespass. Margaret Reid attempted to disrupt the World Snooker Championship the same year and was convicted of attempting to cause criminal damage. In the summer of 2023, airports across the UK were placed on high alert amid concerns over potential disruption. The following month, plans to target Manchester Airport came to light. Knorr and Reid, along with Indigo Rumbelow and Leonorah Ward, were intercepted by police in the early hours of August 5. They had travelled from the Midlands and were staying at an Airbnb in Gatley. Officers in unmarked vehicles stopped the group as they walked near the property at around 4:25am. Tools including wire cutters, angle grinders, and industrial superglue were recovered - items the prosecution said were intended for use in a planned protest on the airport taxiway. Police also seized mobile phones that were allegedly to be used to film and broadcast the demonstration. The protest did not go ahead, and all four were arrested. The group denied conspiring to cause a public nuisance but were found guilty following a trial. Sentencing them at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court, Judge Jason MacAdam told the defendants: 'This was a highly organised, planned and determined conspiracy. If it had been successfully executed, the evidence, which was either unchallenged or tested without success, demonstrated it would have for some time resulted in chaos not just at Manchester Airport, but to infrastructure around the airport and would have had a consequential effect on other airports.' He continued: 'The principle of deterrence when sentencing cases which are as serious as this is of particular relevance and importance… to prevent social unrest arising from the type of escalating illegal activity that all of you, affiliating yourselves with a cause, had become involved with.' Judge MacAdam also noted that their actions differed from those who engage in civil disobedience while accepting responsibility and legal consequences: 'The stance taken by you distinguishes you all from others who have chosen to follow the long and honourable tradition of civil disobedience on conscientious grounds.' Daniel Knorr, 22, and Leonorah Ward, 22, both of Second Avenue, Birmingham; Indigo Rumbelow, 30, of Anthill Road, Haringey; and Margaret Reid, 54, of Low Fellside, Kendal; were all convicted of conspiracy to intentionally cause a public nuisance following a trial. Rumbelow was jailed for two-and-a-half years, Knorr for two years, and Reid and Ward were both sentenced to 18 months. Following the sentencing, Assistant Chief Constable Chris Sykes of Greater Manchester Police said: 'This result is testament to all the hard-working officers across the force… we will always use the full resources of Greater Manchester Police to protect the public, prevent disruptions, and ensure people are brought to justice.' Detective Chief Inspector Tony Platten, the senior investigating officer, added: 'We know this disruption was deliberately planned to coincide with the height of the summer holidays… The group's actions demonstrated a complete disregard for the impact on the lives of those travelling via Greater Manchester, and I welcome the sentences handed down today.' Nicola Wells, Senior Crown Prosecutor for CPS North West, said: 'This was a targeted attack, at the height of summer, against one of the country's busiest airports… Whenever the right to protest crosses into criminality… we will not hesitate to prosecute these cases.' Article continues below Rad Taylor, director of Aerodrome Operations at Manchester Airport, said: 'What these individuals were planning would not only have caused significant disruption… but also a significant safety risk. The potential consequences of that do not bear thinking about.'
North Wales Chronicle
28-05-2025
- North Wales Chronicle
Four Just Stop Oil activists jailed for plotting to disrupt Manchester Airport
Indigo Rumbelow, 31, Daniel Knorr, 23, Leanorah Ward, 22, and Margaret Reid, 54, had all been convicted of conspiracy to intentionally cause a public nuisance. Manchester Minshull Crown Court heard they were all arrested in August last year near to Manchester Airport. They were equipped with heavy duty bolt cutters, angle grinders, glue, sand, Just Stop Oil high visibility vests and a leaflet containing instructions to follow when interacting with police. Ward was also found in possession of a handwritten note which detailed the motive of the group to enter the airfield and to then contact the police to alert them of their activity. They were planning to enter the airfield and stick themselves to the taxiway using the glue and sand. Following a trial the four defendants were found guilty in February of conspiracy to intentionally cause a public nuisance. A fifth defendant was acquitted. Rumbelow, from London, was jailed for 30 months; Knorr, from Birmingham, was jailed for two years; Ward, also from Birmingham, was sentenced to 18 months in custody; and Reid, from Kendal, Cumbria was also locked up for 18 months. Each was ordered to pay £2,000 in costs. Passing sentence, Judge Jason MacAdam rejected the defendants' claims that only 'minimal delay, inconvenience, cost would have occurred' had their plan succeeded. 'That claim repeatedly made by you all is plainly dishonest and completely contrary to all of your claims again repeatedly made, that you want to be held accountable,' he said. 'This was a highly organised, planned and determined conspiracy. 'If it had been successfully executed, the evidence which was either unchallenged or tested without success, demonstrated would have for some time resulted in chaos not just at Manchester Airport but to infrastructure around the airport and would have had a consequential effect on other airports. 'Many peoples flights to and from Manchester would have been delayed, rerouted or cancelled.' Detective Chief Inspector Tony Platten, who led the investigation, said: 'We know this disruption was deliberately planned to coincide with the height of the summer holidays, targeting the public and their families. 'It was vital that we prevented this from happening. People work hard for their time off, and we have a duty to ensure they can enjoy it without fear or disruption. 'The group's actions demonstrated a complete disregard for the impact on the lives of those travelling via Greater Manchester, and I welcome the sentences handed down today.' Rad Taylor, from Manchester Airport, said: 'The safety and security of our passengers is always our number one concern. 'What these individuals were planning would not only have caused significant disruption for tens of thousands of passengers, but also a significant safety risk. 'The potential consequences of that do not bear thinking about.' In statements released by Just Stop Oil after the sentencing, the defendants said the action was part of a campaign for a treaty to end the extraction and burning of oil, gas and coal by 2030. Knorr, who had been remanded in custody prior to sentencing, said: 'Since my imprisonment began, things have continued to get worse. The world still sleepwalks towards hell. 'People are taking action because they are terrified of what rising temperatures and food shortages will mean for them and for their kids. 'So as long as the climate crisis keeps getting worse, people will keep taking action, prison or not.' Ward said: 'I'm not worried about my sentence, I'm worried about living in a world where crop failure means I can't put food on the table. 'I acted because doing nothing is unthinkable and because the science is clear. We have no other option.'
Rhyl Journal
27-05-2025
- Rhyl Journal
Four Just Stop Oil activists jailed for plotting to disrupt Manchester Airport
Indigo Rumbelow, 31, Daniel Knorr, 23, Leanorah Ward, 22, and Margaret Reid, 54, had all been convicted of conspiracy to intentionally cause a public nuisance. Manchester Minshull Crown Court heard they were all arrested in August last year near to Manchester Airport. They were equipped with heavy duty bolt cutters, angle grinders, glue, sand, Just Stop Oil high visibility vests and a leaflet containing instructions to follow when interacting with police. Ward was also found in possession of a handwritten note which detailed the motive of the group to enter the airfield and to then contact the police to alert them of their activity. They were planning to enter the airfield and stick themselves to the taxiway using the glue and sand. Following a trial the four defendants were found guilty in February of conspiracy to intentionally cause a public nuisance. A fifth defendant was acquitted. Rumbelow, from London, was jailed for 30 months; Knorr, from Birmingham, was jailed for two years; Ward, also from Birmingham, was sentenced to 18 months in custody; and Reid, from Kendal, Cumbria was also locked up for 18 months. Each was ordered to pay £2,000 in costs. Passing sentence, Judge Jason MacAdam rejected the defendants' claims that only 'minimal delay, inconvenience, cost would have occurred' had their plan succeeded. 'That claim repeatedly made by you all is plainly dishonest and completely contrary to all of your claims again repeatedly made, that you want to be held accountable,' he said. 'This was a highly organised, planned and determined conspiracy. 'If it had been successfully executed, the evidence which was either unchallenged or tested without success, demonstrated would have for some time resulted in chaos not just at Manchester Airport but to infrastructure around the airport and would have had a consequential effect on other airports. 'Many peoples flights to and from Manchester would have been delayed, rerouted or cancelled.' Detective Chief Inspector Tony Platten, who led the investigation, said: 'We know this disruption was deliberately planned to coincide with the height of the summer holidays, targeting the public and their families. 'It was vital that we prevented this from happening. People work hard for their time off, and we have a duty to ensure they can enjoy it without fear or disruption. 'The group's actions demonstrated a complete disregard for the impact on the lives of those travelling via Greater Manchester, and I welcome the sentences handed down today.' Rad Taylor, from Manchester Airport, said: 'The safety and security of our passengers is always our number one concern. 'What these individuals were planning would not only have caused significant disruption for tens of thousands of passengers, but also a significant safety risk. 'The potential consequences of that do not bear thinking about.' In statements released by Just Stop Oil after the sentencing, the defendants said the action was part of a campaign for a treaty to end the extraction and burning of oil, gas and coal by 2030. Knorr, who had been remanded in custody prior to sentencing, said: 'Since my imprisonment began, things have continued to get worse. The world still sleepwalks towards hell. 'People are taking action because they are terrified of what rising temperatures and food shortages will mean for them and for their kids. 'So as long as the climate crisis keeps getting worse, people will keep taking action, prison or not.' Ward said: 'I'm not worried about my sentence, I'm worried about living in a world where crop failure means I can't put food on the table. 'I acted because doing nothing is unthinkable and because the science is clear. We have no other option.'
Telegraph
27-05-2025
- General
- Telegraph
Just Stop Oil co-founder plotted airport gridlock ‘at summer holiday peak'
The co-founder of Just Stop Oil deliberately plotted to cause airport gridlock at the height of the summer holiday season, a detective has said. Indigo Rumbelow, 31, joined Daniel Knorr, 23, Leanorah Ward, 22, and Margaret Reid, 54, in trying to cause chaos at Manchester Airport on Aug 5 last year. They were equipped with heavy duty bolt cutters, angle grinders, glue, sand, Just Stop Oil hi-vis vests and a leaflet giving instructions to follow when interacting with police, a court heard. The four were planning to enter the airfield and stick themselves to the taxiway using the glue and sand, but were all arrested near to the airport, Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court was told. They were all convicted of conspiracy to intentionally cause a public nuisance following a trial in February and have now been jailed. Ward was also found in possession of a handwritten note which detailed the motive of the group to enter the airfield and to then contact the police to alert them of their activity. Rumbelow, from London, was jailed for 30 months and Knorr, from Birmingham, got two years while Ward, also from Birmingham, and Reid, from Kendal, Cumbria, each were jailed for 18 months. Each was ordered to pay £2,000 in costs. Passing sentence, Judge Jason MacAdam rejected the defendants' claims that only 'minimal delay, inconvenience, cost would have occurred' had their plan succeeded. He said: 'This was a highly organised, planned and determined conspiracy. 'If it had been successfully executed, [it] would have for some time resulted in chaos not just at Manchester Airport but to infrastructure around the airport and would have had a consequential effect on other airports. 'Many flights would have been delayed, rerouted or cancelled.' Det Chf Insp Tony Platten, who led the investigation, said: 'We know this disruption was deliberately planned to coincide with the height of the summer holidays, targeting the public and their families. 'It was vital that we prevented this from happening. The group's actions demonstrated a complete disregard for the impact on the lives of those travelling via Greater Manchester, and I welcome the sentences handed down today.' Rad Taylor, Manchester Airport operations director, said: 'What these individuals were planning would not only have caused significant disruption for tens of thousands of passengers, but also a significant safety risk. The potential consequences of that do not bear thinking about.' In statements released by Just Stop Oil after the sentencing, the defendants said the action was part of a campaign for a treaty to end the extraction and burning of oil, gas and coal by 2030. Knorr said: 'Things have continued to get worse. The world still sleepwalks towards hell. 'People are terrified of what rising temperatures and food shortages will mean for them and for their kids. So as long as the climate crisis keeps getting worse, people will keep taking action, prison or not.' Ward said: 'I acted because doing nothing is unthinkable and because the science is clear. We have no other option.'
South Wales Guardian
27-05-2025
- South Wales Guardian
Four Just Stop Oil activists jailed for plotting to disrupt Manchester Airport
Indigo Rumbelow, 31, Daniel Knorr, 23, Leanorah Ward, 22, and Margaret Reid, 54, had all been convicted of conspiracy to intentionally cause a public nuisance. Manchester Minshull Crown Court heard they were all arrested in August last year near to Manchester Airport. They were equipped with heavy duty bolt cutters, angle grinders, glue, sand, Just Stop Oil high visibility vests and a leaflet containing instructions to follow when interacting with police. Ward was also found in possession of a handwritten note which detailed the motive of the group to enter the airfield and to then contact the police to alert them of their activity. They were planning to enter the airfield and stick themselves to the taxiway using the glue and sand. Following a trial the four defendants were found guilty in February of conspiracy to intentionally cause a public nuisance. A fifth defendant was acquitted. Rumbelow, from London, was jailed for 30 months; Knorr, from Birmingham, was jailed for two years; Ward, also from Birmingham, was sentenced to 18 months in custody; and Reid, from Kendal, Cumbria was also locked up for 18 months. Each was ordered to pay £2,000 in costs. Passing sentence, Judge Jason MacAdam rejected the defendants' claims that only 'minimal delay, inconvenience, cost would have occurred' had their plan succeeded. 'That claim repeatedly made by you all is plainly dishonest and completely contrary to all of your claims again repeatedly made, that you want to be held accountable,' he said. 'This was a highly organised, planned and determined conspiracy. 'If it had been successfully executed, the evidence which was either unchallenged or tested without success, demonstrated would have for some time resulted in chaos not just at Manchester Airport but to infrastructure around the airport and would have had a consequential effect on other airports. 'Many peoples flights to and from Manchester would have been delayed, rerouted or cancelled.' Detective Chief Inspector Tony Platten, who led the investigation, said: 'We know this disruption was deliberately planned to coincide with the height of the summer holidays, targeting the public and their families. 'It was vital that we prevented this from happening. People work hard for their time off, and we have a duty to ensure they can enjoy it without fear or disruption. 'The group's actions demonstrated a complete disregard for the impact on the lives of those travelling via Greater Manchester, and I welcome the sentences handed down today.' Rad Taylor, from Manchester Airport, said: 'The safety and security of our passengers is always our number one concern. 'What these individuals were planning would not only have caused significant disruption for tens of thousands of passengers, but also a significant safety risk. 'The potential consequences of that do not bear thinking about.' In statements released by Just Stop Oil after the sentencing, the defendants said the action was part of a campaign for a treaty to end the extraction and burning of oil, gas and coal by 2030. Knorr, who had been remanded in custody prior to sentencing, said: 'Since my imprisonment began, things have continued to get worse. The world still sleepwalks towards hell. 'People are taking action because they are terrified of what rising temperatures and food shortages will mean for them and for their kids. 'So as long as the climate crisis keeps getting worse, people will keep taking action, prison or not.' Ward said: 'I'm not worried about my sentence, I'm worried about living in a world where crop failure means I can't put food on the table. 'I acted because doing nothing is unthinkable and because the science is clear. We have no other option.'
