Just Stop Oil supporter not guilty after spraying orange paint on MI5

A Just Stop Oil supporter was acquitted at Southwark Crown Court today, three and a half years after spray painting the MI5 building orange to demand an end to new oil and gas licensing. [1] On 31st October 2022, Tez Burns was among 6 supporters who “painted the town orange” by spray painting the Home Office, the MI5 building, The Bank of England and the headquarters of News Corp at London Bridge. The buildings were chosen to represent the pillars that support and maintain the power of the fossil fuel economy – government, security, finance and media. [2] Tez took action at Thames House, the headquarters of M15 at Millbank They began to spray orange paint from a fire extinguisher before being tackled by an onlooker who tried to wrest control of the fire extinguisher and ended up covered in orange paint. [3] Today, Tez Burns appeared via video link before Judge Tomlinson at Southwark Crown Court to face a charge of criminal damage in the amount of £6,720. However the CPS offered no evidence to support their prosecution and the Judge declared a not guilty verdict. Following the verdict, Tez Burns, 38, a mechanic from Swansea said: “On the 31st of October 2022 I sprayed orange paint over the entrance of the MI5 headquarters to draw attention to the government’s inaction on climate. That year, Boris Johnson, lying through his teeth, said ‘climate is our number one priority’ and the other two unelected Prime Ministers that succeeded him continued on with the entirely hypocritical plan to open up the North Sea for bids on new oil and gas exploration. This happened just after the Net Zero Strategy was proven unlawful – remember Greg Hands? What a shit show!” “An angry middle-aged man, who was likely an employee of MI5, decided to be a ‘hero’ and ended up getting paint absolutely everywhere, and now today, four years later, I’m found not guilty. The Crown no longer feels it’s in the public interest to prosecute. You could not make it up!” A Just Stop Oil spokesperson said: “It has never been in the public interest to shoot the messenger, but that hasn’t stopped successive governments from trying. Just Stop Oil may have ceased action but others are continuing the flight against the fossil fuel industry. “The new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham could approve Rosebank and new North Sea drilling as early as next week. Join the Andy Say No to Rosebank! action with Fossil Free London this weekend.” In 2024 Just Stop Oil successfully won its original demand of ‘no new oil and gas’ and on March 27th 2025 announced an end to the campaign of action. However, our supporters will continue to tell the truth in court and to speak out for our political prisoners. ENDS Press contact: 07762 987334 Press email: juststopoilpress@protonmail.com High quality images & video here: https://juststopoil.org/press-media Website: https://juststopoil.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JustStopOil/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/just.stopoil/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/JustStop_Oil Youtube: https://juststopoil.org/youtube TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@juststopoil Notes to Editors [1] Just Stop Oil is a member of the A22 Network of civil resistance projects. April 26th 2025 was the last Just Stop Oil action, but our supporters will continue to tell the truth in the courts, speak out for our political prisoners, and call out the UK’s oppressive anti-protest laws. Just Stop Oil continues to rely on small donations from the public to make this happen. [2] Action press release 31 October 2022 https://juststopoil.org/2022/10/31/day-31-just-stop-oil-paint-the-town-orange/ [3] M15 action video https://x.com/JustStop_Oil/status/1587009832774688769?s=20