Hackney climate activist ‘doorstepped by counter-terrorist police’

Ewa Jasiewicz holding the No Dash for Gas banner (right) with fellow activists after the court hearing in Nottingham

A climate activist convicted of aggravated trespass for her part in a protest says officers from the Metropolitan Police’s counter-terrorist command paid her an “intimidating” visit while she was on bail.

Ewa Jasiewicz was part of a team of activists from group No Dash for Gas who scaled 80metre high chimneys at energy company EDF’s West Burton power plant last year and succeeded in shutting down the facility for a week in protest at the government’s plan to build dozens of new gas-fuelled power stations.

She pleaded guilty to aggravated trespass at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court and was sentenced earlier this month to 150 hours of community service – a sentence she is now appealing.

Ms Jasiewicz, 35, a freelance journalist and former union organiser, said she was doorstepped at her home in Clapton over the Christmas holidays by two plain clothed officers from SO15, the Met’s specialist operations branch with high level clearance to work with intelligence agencies.

She said that during their visit the officers warned her not to go within 50metres of any power station – a condition attached to her bail.

She said: “They said ‘You can’t go within 50meters of any power station, do you understand. That includes the Isle of Grain facility in Kent.’”

Only later, when she looked up this power station, did she realise she had been driving “quite close” to it, she added.

“The only conclusion I can draw is that maybe they had been following me,” said Ms Jasiewicz. “Maybe they had observed me or were tracking my phone. They were quite intimidating. They weren’t friendly.

“These are the people who are now tracking us and defining our activities as terrorism.”

A Met Police spokesman said: “We do not discuss who we may or may not speak with in connection with any ongoing investigation.”

No Dash for Gas is holding a four day action camp called Reclaim the Power at West Burton in August aimed at raising awareness about fuel poverty and renewables.

Ms Jasiewicz said: “Our protest was about making a clear and dramatic stand against the government’s dash for gas, the plan to build 40 new gas-powered power stations to make the British energy system reliant on gas for the next 30 years, something that will send bills through the roof.

“It is also unaffordable climate-wise. The government’s own panel on climate change said we will be in violation of our legal obligations to reduce our emissions dramatically by 2020 and 2050.”

She added: “This is also about power and who sets the price in energy, and who dominates the market in energy. Fundamentally energy belongs to humanity. We’ve all got the right to energy and access to it in a way that is not dependent on how much money we’ve got”

EDF insists it is committed to low-carbon power stations and increased energy efficiency.

A spokesman said: “We support the right to peaceful protest. However, any unlawful action is of serious concern and puts at risk the safety of the individuals involved.”

Reclaim the Power takes place from 17-20 August. For more information see www.nodashforgas.org.uk