Insulate Britain activists have been jailed for breaching an injunction.

This morning nine people, who have dubbed themselves the "Highway 9" have been sentenced to between two and six months each.

The High Court granted the injunction in September after the group's protests caused long queues on the M25 on several occasions.

This included one occasion where protesters glued themselves to parts of a roundabout near the major motorway junction in Dartford and at the Swanley Interchange.

The group, an offshoot of the Extinction Rebellion campaign movement, said they had chosen to break the injunction "knowing the cost".

They argue they have taken this action as a result of what they claim is the government's inaction on the climate emergency.

Upon sentencing, one of the nine, Emma Smart, announced that she would begin a hunger strike starting immediately.

She said: “Our government is betraying us; betraying our vulnerable people and betraying our children’s future. I believe that my intentions are morally right, even if my actions are deemed legally wrong.

“This court may see me as being on the wrong side of the law, but in my heart I know I am on the right side of history. I will not be a bystander.”

Insulate Britain is calling for better insulation for UK homes to help tackle the climate crisis.

A spokesperson for the group, Tracey Mallaghan, said outside the court, “To the government we say, you can’t imprison a flood, you can’t give an unlimited fine to a famine and you can’t bankrupt a fire.

"And to the public we say, no one is coming to save you”.

Dartford MP Gareth Johnson, whose constituents have faced regular disruption to their working lives as a result of the protests, welcomed the jail sentences.

The Tory said: “The actions of these individuals are not only utterly selfish, but extremely dangerous.

"They are not only putting their lives in danger, but they are endangering the lives of motorists but also the police officers who have to deal with their protests.

“Their actions have caused so much disruption to our already busy road network and today’s decision by the court will send a clear message that this type of direct action on our country’s major roads will not be tolerated.”

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