Somerset Green Party councillor Michael “Mick” Dunk has been sentenced to prison for his involvement in the Just Stop Oil protests on the M25 motorway in November 2022. Dunk, elected in May 2022 to represent the Frome West division, was among activists who climbed motorway gantries to display banners opposing new fossil fuel projects.
The peaceful protest, intended to highlight government plans to license over 100 new oil and gas projects, led to motorway closures and widespread disruption. Police had to shut the M25 beneath the gantry, impacting approximately 228,000 vehicles and causing 18,000 hours of delays, affecting nearly a quarter million people.
After an eight-day trial at Southwark Crown Court in October 2025, Dunk and five co-defendants were convicted of intentionally or recklessly causing a public nuisance. Judge Perrins sentenced Dunk to 26 months in prison and ordered him to pay £4,380 in costs. He had already served 187 days under curfew and eight days on remand, which were deducted from his sentence. Dunk is eligible for release after serving 40% of his term with good behavior.
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Judge Perrins emphasized that the defendants were part of a coordinated plan aimed at maximum disruption and noted their failure to fully acknowledge the extent of public impact, though he recognized their conscience-driven actions.
Dunk, who also served on Mendip District Council from 2019 to 2023, expressed that the protest was a difficult but necessary action to combat policies threatening the UK’s climate goals. He stated, “The safety of the travelling public was my first consideration,” and lamented that government decisions risked future generations' well-being.
Under government rules, councillors sentenced to over three months must vacate their office. Dunk confirmed he will step down but believes he acted in his constituents' best interests by challenging misleading and harmful policies perpetuated by lobbying interests.
His fellow Green Party councillors and local officials have expressed support and sympathy, describing him as principled, caring, and committed to climate action. Some criticized the sentence as excessively harsh, suggesting alternative penalties would have been more fitting given his community contributions.
A by-election will take place early next year to fill the vacant Frome West seat.