Former vicar of Rochdale charged for role in Insulate Britain protests

Rev Mark Coleman (right) during one of the Insulate Britain protests last September

The former vicar of Rochdale – Mark Coleman – has been named as one of 56 people due to appear in court after being charged following a Met Police investigation into protests on the M25.

The charges relate to demonstrations by Insulate Britain that took place at two locations on three dates in September last year. Dozens of activists staged a roadblock on the motorway with some protestors glueing themselves to the tarmac and barriers on a slip road near Heathrow during Monday morning rush-hour traffic.

Police helped manage traffic disruption and made several arrests.

Fifty people – including Rev Mark, 63, – have been charged with causing a public nuisance at Junction 14 of the M25 on 27 September 2021.

Rev Mark, who retired in 2020 due to poor health, said: “I took part in the Insulate Britain actions to draw attention to the failure by the UK government to insulate the homes of the poorest people in this country.

“I know from having lived and worked in Liverpool and Rochdale how in many of our towns and cities, it is the poorest people who carry the great burden of fuel poverty caused by cold and leaky homes. This causes no problem for the fuel companies who will make a lot of profit but for those who live in poor quality housing this means debt and misery.

“I shall welcome the opportunity to attend court and explain why I did what I did. I am sorry for the disruption caused, but I believe that the government should pay attention to the needs of its people and keep them safe from fuel poverty and rising emissions bringing floods and disaster. That is the job of government, to not serve the needs of the people is a dereliction of duty.

“The increase in the cost of fuel caused by the war in Ukraine shows us just how important insulation is.”

Rev Mark has also taken part in Extinction Rebellion protests, being arrested in 2019. Since his retirement, he has become more of an activist for various causes.

Those charged are due to appear at Stratford Magistrates' Court on Friday 29 April.