Greenpeace and Shell reach settlement over North Sea protest

Areeba Hamid, co-executive director at Greenpeace UK, said: “Shell thought suing us for millions over a peaceful protest would intimidate us, but this case became a PR millstone tied around its neck.

“The public backlash against its bullying tactics made it back down and settle out of court.”

She added: “This settlement shows that people power works. Thousands of ordinary people across the country backed our fight against Shell and their support means we stay independent and can keep holding Big Oil to account.

“We’ve ensured not a penny of our supporters’ money will go to Shell and all funds raised will be used to continue campaigning against the fossil fuel industry and other big polluters.”

A Shell spokesperson said: “Shell is pleased that the dispute has been settled and that a payment in lieu of the costs it incurred can benefit a charity working on safety at sea.

“For Shell, the right to protest is fundamental and has never been at issue. Instead, this case was about an illegal boarding by protesters which a High Court judge described as “putting their lives and, indirectly, the lives of the crew at risk”.

“He was also clear that Greenpeace could still protest from a safe distance and their human rights were not infringed.”

Shell was originally suing Greenpeace for £1.7m in damages.