Nottinghamshire MEP Derek Clark angry as protesters have their convictions over-turned

A UKIP MEP has hot out after environmental protesters had their convictions over-turned.

[ClickPress, Tue Jul 19 2011] A UKIP MEP has hot out after environmental protesters had their convictions over-turned.

Nottinghamshire MEP Derek Clark said the decision to quash the convictions of the 20 protesters who were convicted of conspiracy to commit aggravated trespass at the coal-fired Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station in Nottinghamshire, was a “disgrace”.

He spoke out after the Court of Appeal in London over-turned the sentences after hearing how undercover police officer Mark Kennedy infiltrated the group.

Lord Judge said there had been "significant" non-disclosure of material "which would have been supportive of the defence case which was being advanced at trial".

He said: "We have reached the clear conclusion that all these appeals against conviction will be allowed."

And Lord Judge said the Crown accepted that the convictions were unsafe.

Mr Clark said: “This bungled operation has led to protesters walking away from this – it’s a disgrace – the undercover operation was bungled and the courts appear to have condoned political lawbreaking.”