Councillors donate to crowdfunder supporting jailed colleague

Councillors, including the leader of Somerset Council, have donated to a crowdfunder to help meet the legal costs of a colleague who has been jailed for taking part in a Just Stop Oil protest.

Michael Dunk has been a Green Party councillor in Frome West on Somerset Council for the last three years, but there is expected to be a by-election next year to replace him after he was sentenced to 26 months in prison for climbing on a gantry at the protest on the M25 in November 2022.

The crowdfunder set up to support Dunk has now reached £6,090 as of December 9, exceeding the £4,380 initially sought to meet Dunk’s legal costs.

Frome Area Green Party, which has organised the fundraiser, say any further money raised will go towards further legal costs Dunk may incur or towards costs faced by other Just Stop Oil protestors.

Among councillors to donate to Dunk’s fundraiser is Somerset Council leader Bill Revans, who gave £100.

Revans has confirmed he made the donation in a personal capacity rather than as leader of Somerset Council.

Read the full story at localgov.co.uk

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