When I say, 'British middle class', I'm talking about myself as well. I'm taking the piss out of myself too — you know, I sit in front of a computer all day, I drink loads of tea. Naik continues, "It's self-critique — it's not 'the other'.
You can critique a place but also say there's lots I love about it, and I want to work towards making it more equal.
I think an act of peaceful protest about correcting a perceived injustice — London being one of the most unequal cities in the developed world — that is an act of participation. Oldfield adds: "It's not to slag it off, it's to make it better. It's a contribution to the country. My husband should have the right to fight for better conditions.
I ask if she'd support Oldfield if he did it again. She pauses for a while before answering. I would support anyone, anywhere, that speaks out against injustice. His appeal is in six to eight weeks, and I ask what they'll do if it is unsuccessful. Naik smiles. It wouldn't be possible. Judges protecting the British way of life just wouldn't allow it.
What does he think his protest achieved? Decca Aitkenhead. When Trenton Oldfield disrupted last year's Boat Race in protest at elitism in Britain, he never thought it would lead to prison and deportation.
So are political forces working against him? Representing the home secretary, Danny Morley said Oldfield's conduct had been in "utter contempt for the law" and he "abused his right to protest in a very public way". Morley added: "He did put himself in danger and others. The whole country saw this and there is a need to be firm against this type of behaviour.
At the end of the hearing, the immigration tribunal judge, Kevin Moore, told Oldfield: "There is no doubt as to your character and commitment and the value you are to UK society generally. It would appear to me from the evidence and the submissions that have been made on your behalf that it would be my intention to allow your appeal. Oldfield hugged his wife and supporters and said he was relieved at the ruling, which will be handed down formally within 10 days.
Boat race swimmer 'caused chaos'. HM Courts Service. This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. He was found guilty of causing a public nuisance. Trenton Oldfield was arrested after being pulled from the water on 7 April. Published 26 September Around 25 student climate campaigners from Oxford and Cambridge were allegedly involved in the protests, quickly dispersing from the scene afterwards.
Their actions were the latest in a long-running campaign against fossil fuel investment. Calls for divestment have increased since the Panama Papers revealed both universities had invested tens of millions of pounds in a joint venture to develop oil exploration and deep-sea drilling operations.
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