Crowdfunder launched for jailed Westcountry councillor

Green Party's Michael Dunk took part in oil protest

Several sitting Somerset councillors have donated to a Crowdfunder launched to support a jailed former counterpart.

Michael Dunk was one of two Green Party councillors elected to represent the Frome West division at the local elections in May 2022.

Mr Dunk (known affectionately as ‘Mick’) was among numerous Just Stop Oil activists who climbed gantries on the M25 on November 8, 2022 to demand an end to new fossil fuel projects.

Mr Dunk will spend Christmas in prison after being sentenced at Southwark Crown Court on Friday (December 5) to 26 months’ imprisonment and ordered to pay £4,380 in costs.

A online Crowdfunder has been set up to pay Mr Dunk’s legal costs and support his fellow jailed protesters – with several sitting councillors donating to the crowdfunder in a personal capacity.

This comes as Sir Ashley Fox, the Conservative MP for Bridgwater, welcomed the sentences handed down by Judge Perrins and described the councillors’ behaviour as “concerning”.

The crowdfunder has been organised by Robin Logie, chairman of the Frome Area Green Party, and has raised £5,242 as of Monday afternoon (December 8).

Mr Logie said: “We have now reached the £4,380 required for Mick’s legal costs so far.

“Any further money raised will go towards any further legal costs that Mick may incur or towards the legal costs of other Just Stop Oil protesters.

“Thank you for the tremendous generosity of those who have already donated to raise this sum so quickly.”

Nearly 150 individual donations have been made to this crowdfunder, including numerous donations by sitting councillors (all of which were made in a personal capacity, rather than as elected officials).

Somerset Council leader Bill Revans said: “I can confirm I have made a donation of £100 towards the crowdfundraiser for Mick Dunk in a personal capacity, not as leader of Somerset Council – as I do to support many local, national and international causes.

“This appeal is to go towards Mick’s appeal against his sentence and towards his legal costs.

“I have made it clear that I do not condone or support his criminal actions.

“I disagree with the excessive sentence that has been handed out as I have said in my statement on my social media feed.”

Councillor Theo Butt Philip (Liberal Democrat, Wells) and Councillor Adam Boyden (Lib Dem, Frome North) both donated £100, with the latter stating: “This was a very harsh sentence and Mick has been treated poorly by the justice system, to ‘encourage the others’.

“What Mick campaigned for is now government policy. Free Mick!”

Councillor Martin Dimery (Green, Frome West) donated £50, posting: “I shall miss Mick’s company, advice, and great humour, especially on those otherwise dull journeys across Somerset to council meetings. It has been an honour to serve with him.”

Councillor Dave Mansell (Green, Upper Tone) donated £40, while fellow Green councillor Shane Collins (Frome East) provided £20 towards the target.

Councillor Steve Ashton (Lib Dem, Crewkerne) and Councillor Richard Wilkins (Lib Dem, Curry Rivel and Langport) each gave £25, with the latter reasoning: “Whilst I don’t support your [Mr Dunk’s] actions, I feel this sentence is unnecessary.”

Michael Gay (the Green councillor for the Postlebury ward on Mendip District Council between 2019 and 2023) donated £50, stating he was “one of very many sending support for a decent honest man”.

A full list of donations and accompanying statements can be viewed online at www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/climate-change-urgent-action-supporting-climate-i.

Bridgwater MP Sir Ashley Fox said he welcomed Mr Dunk’s sentenced and said councillors’ support for the crowdfunder (albeit in a personal capacity) was “concerning”.

He said: “It is welcome that these tough sentences have brought an end to the recent motorway protests and contributed to Just Stop Oil collapsing as a movement.

“The individuals involved might reflect on the fact that the UK has already cut its CO2 emissions by half since 1990, while countries such as China and India continue to build coal fired power stations at scale.

“If they want to make a global impact, perhaps they should direct their demonstrations there.

“I have always defended the right to peaceful protest, but deliberately causing chaos on major roads, stopping people from reaching weddings, funerals, job interviews and hospital appointments is not lawful and never should be.”