Eleven activists arrested on suspicion of contempt after protest outside crown court

A group of 11 activists were arrested on suspicion of contempt of court after a protest outside a crown court on Tuesday.

Police officers detained the protesters, who were standing on the pavement at English Grounds outside Southwark crown court, off Battlebridge Lane, after being given directions by a judge.

Messages on signs carried by protesters included “jurors deserve to hear the whole truth” and “jurors have an absolute right to acquit a defendant according to their conscience”.

The judge determined the signs could be interpreted as influencing a jury, the Met police said.

A spokesman from the Met said: “Those arrested were detained in the court cells and appeared before the judge later in the day.”

They will return for contempt proceedings at the same court on September 27.

Pictured top: Southwark crown court (Picture: Google Street View)