Local green activists are staging a ‘mock trial’ of local MP Sir Geoffrey Cox KC on Saturday as they call on him to stop helping a fossil fuel company sue the British government for pulling out of a major coal mining project in Cumbria.

A group of green activists from Sir Geoffrey’s Torridge and Tavistock constituency will stage the ‘mock trial’ in Duke Street in Tavistock on October 17 from 10.30am to 12.30pm.

Cathy Slaughter, spokeswoman for the group, will be playing the part of the barrister and sitting Tory MP, who is currently representing mining company West Cumbria Mining against the government in a civil action, allowed under legislation more commonly used by northern hemisphere companies to sue southern hemisphere governments who pull out of projects.

In this case, it is the other way around as West Cumbria Mining is owned by Woodhouse Investment in Singapore.

Sir Geoffrey is representing the mining company to sue the government for up to £300 million in lost profits.

Cathy said: “The 'trial' is being held to inform his constituents of his involvement in assisting a fossil fuel company to sue the British government for up to £300 million for potential lost profits after their permission to build a new coal mine in Cumbria was revoked. The Stop Geoffrey Cox campaign regards this role as a clear conflict of interest with his role as an MP and is demanding that he withdraws from representing West Cumbria Mining.”

The group adds: “Back in 2024, the High Court ruled that plans for a new coal mine by West Cumbria Mining Ltd would not be allowed to go ahead, rightfully pointing out the devastating climate damage it would cause had not been accounted for. The plan was withdrawn. The story should have ended. That’s not what’s happened.

“To cut a long story very short, Sir Geoffrey, in his second job capacity as barrister, is representing this fossil fuel company, which with Singaporean parent company Woodhouse Investment stand to make up to £300million if he wins their case.”

She added: “It will take place through a secretive legal process: the Investor State Dispute Settlement (ISDS). Not only will the money come out of the public purse – money that could otherwise be used to help with health, housing, education and other much-needed public services – it will also be going to a fossil fuel company. In 2025 the Global Carbon Budget showed that around 90% of global CO2 emissions, the dominant cause of global climate chaos, came from fossil fuels and industry.”

The Tavistock action on Saturday takes the form of a 15-minute play, to be performed twice by a cast of three, with the group sharing an explanation with the public in between performances.

The action ties in with three days of coordinated action around the world against the ISDS, led by Global Justice Now,

Sir Geoffrey Cox has been approached for comment.