Formula 1 Just Stop Oil activist on Oxfordshire council

David Baldwin, 46, from Stonesfield, is Oxfordshire County Council’s Tree Officer, despite being punished with a 12-month community order in March for a Formula One track invasion at last year’s British Grand Prix.

Mr Baldwin, along with five other protesters, was spared jail in March at Northampton Crown Court on March 31 but was found guilty of causing an immediate risk of serious harm by sitting in the face of fast-moving vehicles.

David Baldwin outside Northampton Crown Court Picture: Joe Giddens/PA Wire (Image: PA Wire, Joe Giddens)

The officer who took part in Just Stop Oil antics orchestrated an Oxford city centre road protest in 2021 and previously hit out at the county council for a “complete lack of leadership on the climate crisis”.

A council spokesman emphasised Mr Baldwin was no longer involved with Just Stop Oil and his appointment was only made after a rigorous assessment.

The council's tree officer taking part in the JSO demonstrations (Image: Just Stop Oil)

They also revealed the council was made aware of his previous conviction before he was appointed to the role last month.

During March’s court trial, footage of Mr Baldwin being dragged off the circuit at Silverstone was seen as two Formula One cars passed by.

The protesters who joined him included Louis McKechnie, Emily Brocklebank, Bethany Mogi, Alasdair Gibson and Joshua Smith.

David Baldwin leaving Northampton Magistrates' Court

The revelation that Mr Baldwin holds an official position within the county council has been branded as “deeply concerning” by Conservative and county councillor Liam Walker.

Mr Walker said: "I think its deeply concerning that a key Just Stop Oil activist has now infiltrated the county council in this way.

“An individual who risked the lives of others attempting to get onto the track at Silverstone during the Grand Prix and who has caused misery and disruption to motorists in London, is now being paid by Oxfordshire’s taxpayers to act as a Tree Officer”.

He suggested the officer may “start a new ‘Just Stop Cutting Down Trees’ group” given the county council’s track record of planting trees.

🚙💨 Drive safe out there! And sign up to slow march at https://t.co/7BzUVS02dZ pic.twitter.com/Y0V9uGuKo4

— Just Stop Oil (@JustStop_Oil) April 28, 2023

JSO activist David Baldwin on the right (Image: Just Stop Oil)

During Mr Baldwin’s trial in March, the judge said the 'reckless' track invasion had been carefully planned, was a deliberate breach of the law and had been carried out despite warnings about the danger of going on to the circuit.

Mr Baldwin has contested elections for county and West Oxfordshire District Council seats for the Burning Pink Party.

Before his city centre road protest in 2021, he told the Oxford Mail: "I am willing to be arrested to make a difference to our local environment.

“Every council has declared a climate emergency, but none have taken any serious action to tackle it."

Mr Baldwin and Just Stop Oil have been approached for comment.