“It was such a massive relief”: Retired Salford GP found not guilty after arrest during environmental protests

A retired Salford GP has been found not guilty after blocking a bridge during an environmental protest earlier this year.

Dr David McKelvey, 62, was acquitted by the City of London Magistrates’ Court, along with six of his colleagues under the Section 14 Public Order Act. The order is used when an unauthorised gathering is causing mass disruption to the public.

Dr McKelvey retired from Ordsall Health Surgery after seventeen years, specifically to focus on protesting and his role within Doctors for Extinction Rebellion (XR).

Extinction Rebellion is an environmental protest group actioning for climate change support and biodiversity.

Dr McKelvey said: “I’ve been involved with Doctors for XR for a number of years… But I had huge hopes riding on COP26 last year but it was just another failure.”

This spurred him to retire in March, and just two weeks later he was marching in London alongside Extinction Rebellion protesters.

He said: “We were on Lambeth Bridge, and everyone else was starting to move on. We as professionals thought we should use this opportunity to really bring the message home about the health impacts of climate change.”

Dr McKelvey said: “Some of us felt that we don’t want to get pushed by the system anymore. We wouldn’t be there protesting if the Government was making sensible decisions.”

McKelvey, along with six of his colleagues, were arrested and spent nine hours in a windowless cell. Eventually, he was released and returned to Salford before his court date.

On Tuesday 15 November, he returned to London for his court case. If found guilty, he would face a fine of up to £2,500 and potentially the loss of his medical licence.

He said: “It was a really moving court case. The defence brought the police officer in [who enacted the order], and then we were watching body camera footage… and it was really weird seeing yourself arrested by the officers in the room.”

Along with Dr McKelvey, all six defendants gave testimonies about how their careers have shaped their beliefs, and why they felt they had no choice but to stay on the bridge.

Dr McKelvey said: “We had to sit there waiting… We really weren’t sure what way it would go.”

Once the judge returned, he commended the doctors and nurses, stating he was: “[I]mpressed by the integrity and rationality of their beliefs” and “their evidence was highly moving.”

All seven defendants were acquitted and found not guilty.