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Protester, 78, leaves prison after tag issue fixed

PA Gaie Delap standing outside a court building that has black iron fencing and gates. She is wearing a black hat and glasses.PA
Gaie Delap was jailed for her part in a Just Stop Oil protest that blocked the M25

A 78-year-old environmental campaigner has been released from prison on home detention after authorities successfully found an electronic tracking tag that fits her.

Gaie Delap from Montpelier, in Bristol, was sentenced to 20 months in jail for her part in a protest that blocked the M25.

She was released in November to complete her sentence at home, but was then recalled to prison when no appropriate tracker could be found to monitor her.

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has since confirmed the retired teacher was released from prison on 31 January on Home Detention Curfew.

Mike Campbell looking directly into the camera. He is wearing glasses and a grey top. Behind him are some houses, and trees.
Mike Campbell, Ms Delap's friend, said they will consider a complaint to the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman

Ms Delap was unable to use a conventional ankle bracelet because she suffers from a medical condition.

It was then discovered that none of the existing tracking devices available to the MoJ were small enough to fit her wrist.

The authority previously explained to the BBC, if offenders cannot be monitored in the community electronically, they will be returned to prison even if it is no fault of their own.

Family and friends of Ms Delap have criticised the decision to extend her sentence in an open letter.

'Not the end'

Ms Delap's brother, Mick Delap, said: "Gaie is overjoyed to be back at home. She is enormously grateful for the support she has received.

"Gaie is also keen that we shouldn't forget the large numbers of prisoners, especially women, serving equally unjust terms of recall and whose suffering her case has highlighted.

"She is one of many peaceful climate protesters who have been jailed as a result of their actions – and more being added to the list every day."

Mike Campbell, close friend and former senior probation officer, who has helped coordinate the campaign for Ms Delap's release, said: "While we celebrate Gaie's return home, this should never have happened in the first place.

"This is not the end of our campaign.

"While we await the judgment of the Court of Appeal, we will seek annulment of the 20 'unlawfully at large' days.

"We will also consider a complaint to the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman."

Ms Delap's Home Detention Curfew is due to end on 7 April.

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