An eco-campaigner whose legal action over major A47 road schemes prompted the leader of Norfolk County Council to brand him 'misguided' has been defended - including by an Olympic gold medal winner.
Broadland MP Jerome Mayhew and County Hall leader Kay Mason Billig had launched an extraordinary attack on climate activist Dr Andrew Boswell, urging him to drop his fight over three major road projects.
Dr Boswell had gone to the High Court, arguing the government had not considered the cumulative carbon impact of dualling Blofield to North Burlingham and North Tuddenham to Easton, along with a major revamp of Thickthorn roundabout.
His case was dismissed, but he hopes to secure an appeal.
Mrs Mason Billig said Dr Boswell did not have the "best interests of residents at heart" and described him as "misguided", while Mr Mayhew criticised "ideologically driven legal challenges".
But Dr Boswell has been defended by supporters, including Etienne Stott, MBE, who took the gold medal in the canoe slalom at the London 2012 Olympics.
On X, previously Twitter, Mr Stott, a member of climate campaign group Extinction Rebellion, said: "It seems like the local MP Jerome Mayhew and Norfolk County Council leader Kay Mason Billig are trying to bully Andrew Boswell in the press.
"Andrew has a longer-term view of what's (not) needed in Norfolk and is standing up for good sense, challenging bad decisions in a climate emergency."
It seems like the local MP @JeromeMayhew & @NorfolkCC leader Kay Mason-Billig are trying to bully @Andrew9Boswell in the press. Andrew has a longer term view of what's (not) needed in Norfolk and is standing up for good sense and challenging bad decisions in a #ClimateEmergency. https://t.co/jiXP5EnF4v
— Etienne Stott MBE 🌍 (@EtienneStott) September 12, 2023
Chris Todd, director of national transport organisation Transport Action Network, said: "These politicians seem to have forgotten a fundamental pillar of democracy is the ability to challenge government decision-making if it may be unlawful.
"Dr Boswell's legal challenges are not frivolous, but centre on the most fundamentally important issue of our time, which is climate change."
Dr Boswell added: "While there have been accusations I am responsible for costs of delay, the Department for Transport did not ask the court to speed up the consideration of the case."
He said National Highways only made such a request six months after the claim started, which was refused by the court.
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