Just Stop Oil yobs could have driving licences revoked under new crackdown
JUST Stop Oil yobs could have their driving licences revoked under a planned government crackdown.
The Sun on Sunday can reveal proposals to haul eco yobs off the road if their disruptive tactics break the law.
Ministers are eyeing new legislation to let judges force someone to hand over their licence if they have committed a public order offence.
The powers could be used to penalise anyone found guilty of the offence and would not be limited to road-blocking activists.
But insiders working on the plans admit the activists are being targeted to deliver an ironic blow to those making drivers’ lives hell.
A government source said: “These hypocritical eco zealots would hate to get a taste of their own medicine.
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“If their own journeys were kiboshed, they might think twice about disrupting everyone else’s lives.”
The plans being drawn up at the top of government are at an early stage and ministers want to announce them officially after the summer break.
Our revelations last night were already being welcomed by Tory MPs who have been demanding tougher action against Just Stop Oil and other protest groups.
Ex-Minister Brendan Clarke-Smith said: “Taking away licences from Just Stop Oil clowns would go some way to stop them driving ordinary Brits round the bend.”
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Rishi Sunak has said he believes Just Stop Oil’s actions have been outrageous and wants the police to smash their slow-marching tactics.
As well as inflicting misery on motorists, in recent weeks the group has invaded Twickenham at the Premiership final.
Ministers recently created new offences under the Public Order Act to target eco protesters.
As well as “road blocking” it covers “locking on” tactics where activists attach themselves to objects to prevent police moving them.
And in April separate laws came into force which let cops break up Just Stop Oil’s slow marches.
