Sheffield council leader backs case against tree protesters, court told

Judge seeks assurances that legal action was brought at behest of elected councillors

Tree protesters in Sheffield are being taken to court on the orders of the council leader, a judge has heard.

Labour's Julie Dore, the leader since 2011, "positively agreed" with legal action against four Sheffield residents who were charged after demonstrating against plans to fell up to 17,000 trees, Sheffield high court heard.