A district judge has ruled John McDonnell MP will be unable to give evidence at the trial of 13 climate change protesters, as it is deemed "irrelevant".

The 13 Plane Stupid protesters face charges of aggravated trespass and entering a security restricted area of an aerodrome, after allegedly cutting a hole in a fence to access the northern runway at Heathrow Airport on July 13.

The Hayes and Harlington MP, who has spoken fervently against a third runway at Heathrow Airport, was due to give evidence in person on Friday (January 22).

But according to The Telegraph, District Judge Deborah Wright said on Wednesday (January 20): "It (his witness statement) gives an opinion about the debate around the expansion of Heathrow and talks about the benefits of direct action, which he says may cause short term inconvenience.

"In order to allow his evidence to be given I have to be able to say that it is relevant.

"I am therefore not going to allow Mr McDonnell to give live evidence."

Sian Berry, the Green party London mayoral candidate, has also been told her evidence is inadmissible.

13 Plane Stupid protesters arrive for their trial

Mr McDonnell said in his statement, which was later released online: "Although the specific direct action can at times cause some short term inconvenience, by highlighting a threat like climate change, it can have a longer term and more significant effect on averting the impact of a greater risk."

He added: "Given the urgency of the environmental problems Heathrow is causing, and the deeply disappointing lack of commitment shown by Heathrow and the government to unequivocal promises they have both made, it's almost inevitable that activists will lose patience with a process that they no longer trust and do what they can to solve the problems themselves."

All defendants had given their evidence by the end of day three of the trial at Willesden Magistrates Court, on Wednesday, January 20.

Each defendant faced cross-examination and stated their commitments to ending climate change, saying they acted to 'save lives'.

The 13 defendants are expected to hear the trial verdict on Monday January 25.

They are:

  • Rebecca Holly Sanderson, 27, of Newton Road, Machynlleth, Powys
  • Melanie Strickland, 32, of Borwick Avenue, Waltham Forest, E17
  • Richard Steven Hawkins, 32, of Heol y Doll, Machynlleth, Powys
  • Ella Gilbert, 22, of Magdalen Street, Norwich, Norfolk
  • Danielle Louise Paffard, 28, of Blenhiem Grove, Southwark
  • Graham Edward James Thompson, 42, of Durlston Road, Hackney
  • Robert Anthony Basto, 67, of Blackborough Road, Reigate, Surrey
  • Kara Lauren Moses, 31, of Heol y Doll, Machynlleth, Powys
  • Cameron Joseph Kaye, 23, of Kenwood Close, Sipson , West Drayton
  • Edward Thacker, 26, of Kenwood Close, Sipson, West Drayton
  • Alistair Craig Tamlit, 27, of Kenwood Close, Sipson, West Drayton
  • Sheila Menon, 43, of Pellerin Road, Hackney
  • Sam Sender, 23, of Kenwood Close, Sipson, West Drayton