(Photo Kirby Misperton Protection Camp Facebook group)

The easiest rig to stop is the first one

Sam O’Brien spoke to Sue Gough, an activist resisting fracking in Kirby Misperton.

On 20 December Friends of the Earth and Frack Free Rydale lost a legal challenge against North Yorkshire County Council’s decision to allow Third Energy to frack in Kirby Misperton. The same day protectors set up the Kirby Misperton protection camp two miles from the proposed fracking site.

Third Energy is 97% owned by Barclays bank through its Natural Resouce Investments arm. Kirby Misperton would be the first place in the country to have gas extracted through hydraulic fracturing if Third Energy get their way.

They and the Government would like us to believe that fracking is unstoppable. But anti-fracking campaigners know the gas companies can be stopped because it has happened before. In Balcombe, at Barton Moss and at Standing Rock. Tina Rothery, one of the Nanas Against Fracking, who was threatened with jail for non payment of a court fine took on Cuardrilla in the courts just before Christmas and won. Groups against fracking are springing up all over the country

The protectors in Kirby Misperton know they are on the frontline. They are determined to stop the frackers, using direct action if necessary. They need and deserve our support.