On 10 November 2025, Nick Armstrong KC and Rosalind Comyn successfully represented Marcus Decker in his appeal against deportation. Marcus was one of the two people who scaled the Dartford Bridge in October 2022, unfurling a Just Stop Oil banner between the verticals, more than 60 metres up. Despite his offence being disruptive rather than harmful Marcus received one of the first, but now increasingly, very long sentences (two years and seven months) handed out to some environmental protestors. Following that, because Marcus is German, the Secretary of State decided to initiate deportation action too.
Marcus’s appeal was supported by a large number and wide range of public figures all of whom have given evidence on his behalf. These include those active in the area, including Chris Packham and George Monbiot; but also the former government scientific adviser Sir David King; a number of climate scientists and Nobel laureates; writers such as Alan Rusbridger and actors such as Juliet Stevenson; as well as Rowan Williams, the former Archbishop of Canterbury and other religious leaders; together with Lord Peter Hain, the former cabinet member and anti-apartheid protestor.
At the end of the hearing the immigration judge announced that she was allowing the appeal, reasons to follow.
Nick and Rosalind are instructed by Andrew Jones of Wilsons Solicitors LLP. A link to a news item is here.