Fuel protesters promise more action

Protests in September triggered fuel shortages

Fuel protest organisers behind last year's blockades have warned they will return to direct action unless the government backs down over the price of petrol.

Brynle Williams, the north Wales farmer who helped to spearhead last year's protest, will meet Transport Minister Lord Macdonald for talks in London on 14 February.

Speaking from his farm in Cilcain, near Mold, he said protesters would await the result of that meeting but added: "If the government does not change its line on unjustifiably high tax on fuel, then we are talking about the possibility of direct action."

Brynle Williams: 'We have not gone away'

In another development, the People's Fuel Lobby has threatened to cause "maximum disruption" during the general election with further blockades and to stand against senior New Labour figures - including Peter Mandelson.

'Maximum disruption'

Mr Williams said 40 "key figures" behind last year's action had secretly gathered in St Asaph, Clwyd, last Thursday to discuss their plans.

"The fuel protest is still on," he said. "We have not gone away. We are talking about a return to direct action. That is all I can say."

Mr Williams was not involved in a series of token protests at oil refineries across the country before Christmas, which caused only minimal disruption.

Meanwhile, Andrew Spence of the People's Fuel Lobby has warned that farmers and truckers will cause more disruption on the streets "sooner rather than later" unless the government changes its stance on fuel.

"Unless prices come down soon then the People's Fuel Lobby are going to launch the heavy stuff again with blockades," said Mr Spence.

"It's going to be sooner rather than later. We will cause maximum disruption."

He said negotiations with the government over fuel duty cuts had broken down, claiming: "They have closed the door."

The People's Fuel Lobby wants the government to cut 26.2p from the price of petrol and diesel.

Mr Spence declined to comment on speculation that blockades would focus on supermarket depots rather than the oil refineries targeted in September's action.

'Political stance'

He also announced he would be standing against former Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Mandelson in the Labour MP's Hartlepool constituency at the expected spring general election.

"We will be taking a political stance," said Mr Spence. "I am going to enjoy every minute of it, we will blockade him everywhere he goes. If he thinks he has got problems with Tony Blair, he hasn't seen anything yet."

Mr Spence, who runs a hauliers business in Consett, Co Durham, would not say which party he would be standing for, but said other fuel protesters would contest seats elsewhere in the country.

"We want rid of Brown, Blair and Prescott," he said. "We are feeling very confident, we still have public support, there's no doubt about that judging from the number of phone calls I have received."

He said protesters intend to park tractors and trucks outside polling stations to remind voters of their campaign.