18th February 2026
The charges had been brought against the health professionals following a protest in July 2022 during the UK’s first ever level four heatwave. The medics cracked windows at the Canary Wharf headquarters of JP Morgan bank, a major financial of fossil fuels, in an intervention to try and save lives and prevent the unfolding health emergency happening as a result of climate change.
The six were first brought to court in June 2024 but a jury was unable to reach a verdict despite all available defences having been withdrawn prior to the trial. We reported on this at the time.
The Crown Prosecution Service sought a re-trial, which took place in February 2026, just weeks after publication of the government’s National Security Assessment on Global Ecosystems which warned of potential ‘geopolitical instability, economic insecurity, migration, and the collapse of food supply chains.’.
On this occasion, the jury unanimously found in favour of the healthcare professionals and all were acquitted.
The case potentially marks a significant point in the question of how fossil fuel financing and production continues to be permitted against the realities of climate change and suffering being felt across the world. The defendants argued that the action they took was proportionate in an ‘unequal fight’ between rich, powerful banks and fossil fuel companies and those harmed by climate change. And that there are times when it is morally right to break the law in order to save lives. The jury agreed.
Commenting after the trial, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, Alys Clack, who was one of the medics acquitted, said, “The unanimous jury acquittal in this case suggests that regular people understand the gross injustice of the climate crisis and its effects of health, society and on democracy. Contrary to the un-evidenced assumptions of the GMC, the general public seem to support health professionals taking direct action on genocide and climate collapse within the context of the government’s failure to act.”
Further reading:
An interview with GP Patrick Hart sent to prison for a year for climate activism
National security assessment on global biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse and national security