Extinction Rebellion: charges against five protesters dismissed

Judge says 'abject failure' by CPS left case lacking key prosecution witness as police officer goes on holiday

All charges against five Extinction Rebellion protesters have been dismissed at City of London magistrates court.

The deputy district judge, Vincent McDade, said there had been an "abject failure" by the Crown Prosecution Service. A police officer who had been due to be a prosecution witness was not given enough notice about the date of the trial and had booked a holiday.