Michael Dunk, a serving Somerset Green Party councillor, has been sentenced to 26 months in prison for his involvement in the 2022 Just Stop Oil protests on the M25 motorway. Elected in May 2022 to represent Frome West, Dunk was among activists who climbed gantries on November 8, 2022, to display banners opposing new fossil fuel projects sanctioned by the then-Conservative government.
The protest led to the closure of the motorway beneath the gantries, affecting approximately 228,000 vehicles and causing 18,000 hours of delays. Dunk and five others faced an eight-day trial at Southwark Crown Court in October 2025, where all were convicted of intentionally or recklessly causing a public nuisance. Dunk was ordered to pay £4,380 in costs and will serve 40% of his sentence with good behaviour, making him eligible for release in October 2026, with the remainder on probation.
Judge Perrins condemned the coordinated nature of the protest, emphasizing the vast disruption caused and the defendants' failure to acknowledge its impact, despite acting according to conscience. The Just Stop Oil campaign ended in March 2025 after securing a government commitment to halt new oil and gas licenses.
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In a statement shared on the Frome Area Green Party Facebook page, Dunk expressed his moral conviction behind the action. He stressed the urgency of climate action, highlighting his responsibility to protect future generations and asserting that safety remained his priority during the protest. Due to legal restrictions on councillors sentenced to over three months, Dunk must vacate his council seat, with a by-election scheduled for early next year.
Fellow Green Party councillors praised Dunk’s integrity and dedication, while local leaders described his sentence as disproportionately severe. Council leader Bill Revans called for more appropriate penalties, suggesting community service rather than imprisonment. The community now awaits the by-election to fill Dunk’s vacant seat.