Extinction Rebellion co-founder denies causing £27,500 of damage to the Department for Transport

Extinction Rebellion co-founder, 47, denies causing £27,500 of damage to the Department for Transport ‘when she scaled the building to rally eco-warriors and smashed a bullet-proof window with a chisel and hammer’

  • Dr Gail Bradbook, 47, reportedly scaled the government building to rally activists
  • The Extinction Rebellion co-founder today denied causing £27,500 of damage
  • It is said she smashed the Department for Transport (DfT)’s bullet-proof window 
  • Adeela Khan, for Bradbrook, told Isleworth Crown Court the protest was ‘lawful’ 

Dr Gail Bradbook, 47, today denied causing £27,500 worth of damage to the building 

An Extinction Rebellion co-founder today denied causing £27,500 of damage to the Department for Transport and said the British legal system is ‘on its knees’.

Dr Gail Bradbrook, 47, allegedly scaled the government building in Horseferry Road, Westminster, to rally fellow eco-warriors.

The molecular biologist clambered onto a ledge above a revolving door before smashing a bullet-proof window with a chisel and hammer, it is said.

Bradbrook had likened her actions to those of the suffragette movement when she was arrested after the demonstration.

Adeela Khan, for Bradbrook, told Isleworth Crown Court the protest was ‘lawful’ and said: ‘It’s not right to say that she said to the police or thereafter that she would commit any further acts of civil disobedience.

‘She made the point that she wanted to make at the location she wanted to make it. 

‘This was specific protest in relation to the HS2 railway.

‘There is an argument of lawful excuse.’

The Extinction Rebellion co-founder allegedly scaled the building and clambered onto a ledge above a revolving door, before smashing a bullet-proof window

The Extinction Rebellion co-founder allegedly scaled the building and clambered onto a ledge above a revolving door, before smashing a bullet-proof window

The molecular biologist was removed from the ledge by a crane and arrested after the demonstration. Bradbook was then granted unconditional bail ahead of the trial

The molecular biologist was removed from the ledge by a crane and arrested after the demonstration. Bradbook was then granted unconditional bail ahead of the trial

Bradbrook, of Stroud, Gloucestershire, denied criminal damage and was previously granted unconditional bail ahead of the trial at Isleworth Crown Court on October 28, 2019.

Addressing the court at the end of the hearing Bradbrook said: ‘It feels like an opportunity to point out that the legal system is on its knees in this country.

‘I’m hearing that there is a crisis in the court system and it’s actually costing more money that it’s saving.’

Bradbrook founded the movement with ex-boyfriend Simon Bramwell.