Judge extends Greenpeace ships ban

A High Court judge has extended an injunction which was granted last week to the Ministry of Defence and bans Greenpeace anti-war protesters from boarding or attaching themselves to British military supply ships bound for the Gulf.

Mr Justice Thomas, sitting in London, granted the MoD a temporary injunction at a hearing last Friday and the matter was back before him for further argument as to whether or not it should be continued or varied.

But, at the start of proceedings today, Mr David Goldstone, counsel for the MoD, thanked the judge for giving the parties an opportunity to talk and said he was pleased to inform him that Greenpeace did "not oppose" an order being made "in terms handed up to your lordship". The injunction will be in force until May 5 or until the court makes a further order.

On Friday the judge granted an interim anti-boarding injunction because of safety concerns about interference with the loading of high explosives and munitions on ships at Marchwood Military Dock at Southampton Water.

The injunction granted also bans Greenpeace from causing its ship, the Rainbow Warrior, or any other craft, vessel or object from obstructing the safe passage of any vessel entering or leaving or navigating within the military port.

The MoD sought an injunction following Greenpeace action against the Lyra J, which was waiting to pick up supplies for the Gulf, and which followed earlier disruption of the loading of the Magdalen Green.

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