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Six people have been charged with conspiracy to cause public nuisance in connection with a track invasion at the start of the British Grand Prix at Silverstone last weekend.
In a statement, Northampton Police said the six, aged between 21 and 46, appeared at Northampton Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.
Four – David Baldwin, Emily Brocklebank, Alasdair Gibson, and Bethany Mogie – were released on bail ahead of a further appearance at Northampton Crown Court on August 19.
Two more, Joshua Smith and Louis McKechnie, have been remanded into custody pending another appearance, also at Northampton Crown Court on the same date.
A group was shown sat on the Wellington Straight at Formula 1’s British GP venue, which was red-flagged on the opening lap. The lead cars did pass the protestors when they started to reach the track, but they were not sat down at that point.
Climate activist group Just Stop Oil claimed responsibility for the protest on social media.
Northampton Police’s statement, which said that a seventh person also arrested in connection with the incident had been released under investigation pending further charges, stated the group had entered the track in possession of glue.
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali called the protesters “totally stupid” and “ridiculous”, while drivers Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel questioned the manner of the protest even though they expressed sympathy with the cause.
