Eight protesters have been acquitted of wilfully obstructing a highway during an arms fair at the ExCeL.

The case against five men and three women was dismissed at Stratford Magistrates’ Court today.

District Judge Angus Hamilton accepted they had all acted reasonably and proportionately to try and prevent the sale of illegal arms when they either chained themselves to gates or vehicles or lay down to block their passage into the ExCeL last September, where the Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) fair was taking place.

None of the defendants disputes their actions, but all claim they were trying to prevent far more serious crime from taking place.