Insulate Britain: 'Considerable number of protesters' allegedly committed imprisonable offences

Final touches are being made to legal papers aimed at taking action against Insulate Britain.

A group consisting of 12 to 15 activists are thought to be part of the 113 people named in National Highways junctions which they are to be accused of breaching.

“We've identified a considerable number of protesters who have breached at least one of the injunctions we have in place” said a government source.

"National Highways lawyers are now working with the police to put together evidence in order to take these people to court.

"We hope to get this in front of the court either later this week or early next."

National Highways will have to apply to the High Court for proceedings to commence against the individuals who set copies of injunction papers on fire outside the Royal Courts of Justice.

If activists are found guilty they could face two years imprisonment for contempt of court.

It comes as the group announced they will temporarily pause their campaign in light of recent comments made by Boris Johnson

In an open letter to the Prime Minister, the campaign group said it would "suspend its campaign of civil resistance until Monday 25th October".

They have asked that he uses the time to "signal" he believes what he says.

Insulate Britain – an offshoot of Extinction Rebellion – wants the Government to insulate all UK homes by 2030 to cut carbon emissions.

It has blocked roads on 14 days over the past five weeks, with activists often gluing their hands to the carriageway to increase the length of time it takes for police to remove them.

Around 20 protesters blocked the junction to St Clements Way and London Road, in Thurrock on Wednesday, forcing multiple vehicles including HGVs to stop and turn round.

The protest angered commuters, impacting lorry drivers who blasted their horns repetitively.