Leading lawyers say they will refuse to prosecute climate protesters or represent new fossil fuel projects.

More than 120 lawyers have vowed to not act against activists from groups such as Extinction Rebellion and Just Stop Oil who are "exercising their democratic right of peaceful protest".

They have published a "Declaration of Conscience", and face the prospect of disciplinary action.

The chair of the Bar Council Nick Vineall KC said it was "disappointing".

Barrister Paul Powlesland, who signed the declaration, said: "We're refusing to advise fossil fuel companies on how to dig for new oil and gas, the same way we wouldn't advise a killer how to commit serial murders."

The group, who call themselves 'Lawyers Are Responsible', say they will withhold their services supporting new fossil fuel projects and any action against climate protesters who are "exercising their democratic right of peaceful protest".

public protest is part of any democracy - unfortunately many people seem to hae forgotten this. It is interesting to conpare the British protestors to the ones in  France at pesent....or even in Thailand.

Yet they will gladly represent rapists and murderers etc for cash........................

Then members of the public whose livelihoods are inconvenienced by these Stop Oil etc should be allowed to met out their own 'justice '.

Lawyers that will not uphold the law should, IMO, be struck off.