Labour defends donations from Just Stop Oil backer Dale Vince

The Labour Party has defended its acceptance of donations from Dale Vince – a backer of Just Stop Oil. The party says it does not impact Labour’s stance on the campaign group, which Sir Keir Starmer has previously labelled as “arrogant” and “wrong.” 

Shadow minister Nick Thomas-Symonds stated that Vince, a green energy entrepreneur, is a “legitimate person” to receive funding from. 

Since 2014, Vince’s company, Ecotricity, has contributed over £1.4 million to the Labour Party. Conservative ministers have called for these donations to be returned, arguing that they lend legitimacy to the tactics employed by Just Stop Oil.

The environmental group has engaged in protests such as road blockades and disruptions of sporting events, advocating for the government to cease issuing new licenses for oil and other fossil fuel exploration in the UK.