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I'm too terrified of jail to carry on, says eco-warrior
Benedict Moore-Bridger15 Oct 2008
CAMBRIDGE graduate and "face" of the climate change campaign Tamsin Omond today revealed she was withdrawing from frontline action, admitting the thought of prison "terrifies" her.
The 23-year-old told the Standard that her first full night behind bars had given her a "reality check", and how her parents are now concerned for her future.
Ms Omond became one of the leading names in climate change campaigning after joining the so-called "Commons Five" who scaled Parliament in February to protest over plans for a third runway at Heathrow.
The rooftop stunt earned her a trial next month and bail conditions prevent her from entering Parliament.
Despite this, on Monday night she led 300 demonstrators as they charged the building to protest over the Government's climate change policy. But having been held in custody for 20 hours, the first-class honours degree graduate and granddaughter of baronet Sir Thomas Lees said she was withdrawing from direct action to concentrate on her studies and also plans to get a job.
At a hearing yesterday over breaching bail, Judge Mike Snow told her she would be "in grave peril" about being remanded in custody if arrested again before her trial. Ms Omond said that warning and her first night behind bars had been a sobering experience.
Speaking to the Standard hours after her release, she said: "I was prepared for it [prison] but the reality of it was terrifying. The judge made it pretty clear. I am definitely not doing anything or taking a role in front-line demonstrating.
"The thought of prison is big and scary. It is easy to sideline that in the excitement of the day but the reality of going to prison is very different. My parents are very supportive but are also really worried.
"It is something that people who take direct action have to confront. We need to be very courageous if we are to change society."
As for her future, Ms Omond said: "I saved enough money for a month but after I finish writing my dissertation I will have to get a job."
Reader views (36)
Stupid, stupid, stupid, STUPID, spoilt little rich girl.
Such a shame that she won't be ending up some butch dyke's bitch in prison after all. That would have been a lesson I think we can all appreciate.
- Andy, Cheltenham, UK, 01/07/2009 12:39
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Stupid little rich girl plays at protest and when it gets a little bit tough she jacks it all in. She got the publicity she wanted (for herself, not the cause), so she's happy, because that's what parasites who live off their parents (Peaches... Pixie... Kate Middleton...) need.
- James, London, UK, 01/07/2009 08:32
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Roz - that was a 'ringer' posting, using her name. I'm not too impressed by the woman, but at least tag her for what she says rather than what orther people put in to her mouth.
- Rogan, Irving, 16/10/2008 14:40
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The lasting legacy of this silly middle class girl's political tantrum will be that it becomes harder for citizens to access parliament.
I work in human rights and I defend cases including those of people at immediate risk of execution. But I don't believe this confers upon me the moral right to force my way into the corridors of power and demand my political wish-list be automatically granted.
Tamsin may mean well, but her actions are immature and characteristic of a consumerist generation that resort to shrill demands and losing their temper when they don't get their way.
- Danny, London, 16/10/2008 14:17
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Gideon,
I can't see what your personal religious beliefs have to do with this girl, and her antics.
- Scott, London, 16/10/2008 13:56
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I'm not sure which is worse: the rank hypocrisy of a smoking climate-change protester who flies to the US from Heathrow to discuss how to stop the rest of us from flying; or the fact that she 'bottled it' at the first hint of hardship, but still advocates other people keep up the dangerous stunts; or that a graduate of the University of Cambridge can only produce a mumbling semi-literate message (below) in her defence . . .
Even Paris Hilton managed better than that!
- Roz, Chamonix, France, 16/10/2008 13:10
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Nevermind the smoking, what about the skin and the eyebrows? You'd think she'd sort those out before going before the cameras!
- Sarah Bradshaw, Enfield, Middx, 16/10/2008 09:45
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continuing Shelly....... and wears clothing made from Hemp grown within the UK from renewable sources. Never rides in a vehicle with an internal fuel combustion engine, and never, EVER drinks coffee or tea that hasn't been handpicked by ethically employed persons.
Fat Chance
- Thomas, London, 16/10/2008 00:42
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prison is not as scary as sitting through an al gore dvd for two hours i can tell you - silly bint
- Frank, stoke-on-trent england, 16/10/2008 00:20
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She ain't exactly Bobby Sands is she? She's made herself a laughing stock to be honest.
Shouldn't have talked the talk if she wasn't prepared to follow it through.
- Sally, Sheffield, 15/10/2008 23:13
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If she is so concerned about the climate , why is she smoking. Not real cool now is it???
- Bigarch, West Palm Beach,Fl.USA, 15/10/2008 21:32
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My God, she SMOKES. What kind of horrible chemicals is she spewing out of her lungs into the atmosphere???
Turbine exhaust is mild by comparison.
- Brandon, Texas, 15/10/2008 20:30
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So, the eco-warrior is a smoker? She personally emits green house gasses and contributes to pollution by burning tobacco...supports an industry that de-forests to open land and uses famrland that would be better served growing food.
- Don, USA, 15/10/2008 20:10
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I'd love to know what state our world would be in if Emmeline Pankhurst had been "too terrified of jail"... appalling and spineless.
- A Rose, London, 15/10/2008 18:29
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"The thought of prison is big and scary."
Prison is supposed to be scary!
That said, why did I get the impression she was merely not going to put herself at risk of prison. Sounded a little like she was still encouraging others to risk it though.
Another 'Great Leader' who will battle to the last drop of their (supporters) blood, so to speak. Ok to send them to prison to score her points. Thats the impression anyway.
If you consider yourself an activist and you want to exercise your absolute right to protest, then have the courage of your convictions. If you don't have the courage of your convictions, then maybe they need to be questioned.
- Rogan, Irving, 15/10/2008 16:43
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You have to admire her stance, provided of course that she never, ever gets on a plane and go's anywhere by air travel for the rest of her life....
- Shelly, London, 15/10/2008 15:53
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Tasmin, since you are here:
They really should start teaching science at cambridge. Anyone with an A' level in chemistry will tell you that carbon dioxide is NOT a pollutant. Its absolutely nescessary for ALL life on the planet, especially plants, flowers, trees etc - something which you greenies are supposed to like.
Basically you've been had - tricked into accepting nuclear power.
To quote another student of cambridge - laugh I nearly spat !!!
Grow up.
- The Engineer, Copenhagen, DK, 15/10/2008 15:19
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It is so obvious that the journalist has taken what Tamsin said out of context. Ultimately, it doesn't matter what the Evening Standard or the minority of people with extreme views that write comments on this website say. This is not about individuals. It's about normal people standing up for what they believe in. Tamsin has done something amazing and there are many many people ready to do their bit to and take action on climate change. I found the climate rush very inspiring to stand alongside women from all walks of life - from Plane Stupid to the WI. I met quite a few people there that had never taken action before and said that they were inspired to do more. Here's to our growing movement and to stopping new runways and coal-fied power stations.
- Sarah, London, 15/10/2008 15:15
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What are you talking about Bob? She needs to get a job to pay her way. Anyone thats prepared to stick their neck out for what they beleive in has got my vote. I don't think most people are taking the threat of global warming seriously enough at all - so good on these 'eco-warriors' I say.
- Matthew, Edinburgh, 15/10/2008 15:12
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MS OSMOND PROBABLY DOES NOT BELIEVE IN GOD THAT IS WHY SHE BELIEVES IN A THIRD RATE SCAM CALLED GLOBAL WARMING. REMEMBER THE OTHER ONES: HOLE IN THE OZONE (WE ARE ALL GOING TO FRY), WE ARE GOING TO RUN OUT OF OIL, FOOD ETC. GET A LIFE PLEASE.
- Gideon Behrens, JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA, 15/10/2008 14:49
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I think it was Winston Churchill who said, and I have to paraphrase, "If you aren't a socialist in your twenties, you have no heart; if you're not a capitalist in your thirties, you have no brain".
Yes, I'm quite sure she will find some rich capitalist to marry and spend the rest of her days extolling the safety features of her 4x4 on the Hammersmith school run.
- George, Guildford, 15/10/2008 14:32
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Tamsin dear, you need to stop smoking too, lead by example, good lady...
Sorry you got freaked out in jail, at least you can add this to your experience belt.
Nothing gets lost, it is all experience to be used later... Think of Nelson Mandela, how long he spent in jail, eh?
or Rosa Luxemburg?
Take care and good luck!
- Nabil H, London, UK, 15/10/2008 14:25
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Maybe its about time she got a job. She will be a 4x4 driving planet destroying capitalist in the time it takes to say 'Daddys got a Porsche'
- Michael Cooper, London, 15/10/2008 14:16
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ahhhh, is da big wowd a bit scarry? Poor little diddums. Why don't you ask daddy for a 'nice' house in a 'nice' area and 'nice' big 4X4 to keep you safe and wrapped up in.
- Ben, London, W1, 15/10/2008 14:14
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Tamsin,
the jig is up. just be happy you have a trust fund, and all the time in the world to pursue the follies of your beliefs.
its a rare priviledge, so enjoy it by all means... but the game is up, as it usually is for ideological tourists.
- Scott, London, 15/10/2008 13:51
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down with schadenfreude ! It'll be a sorry day when posh 23 year old graduates lose their idealism - we'll all be off to Hell in a handcart. So she stood up for something she believed in, rather than trotting off to Boujis or sitting in a tent at Glasto, and got roasted for her efforts. whether you believe in her actions, in free speech or just childish enthusiasm it still smacks of breaking butterflies on wheels. I for one raise my hat to you sweetheart, long may such lack of cynicism endure.
- Squiz, Islington, 15/10/2008 13:30
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Or is it that the trial is next month?
The judge will look in favour of 'I've changed my ways'.
That out of the way, back to the 'frontline'.
- P C, Rainham. England., 15/10/2008 13:25
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As predicted Daddy has had a word and she'll now be getting a city job with one of his industrialist friends, oh the delicious irony.
- Bob, Cheam, 15/10/2008 12:34
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ummm - don't usually do this But.. thought I'd just say that we must all be prepared to take real risks to help halt catastrophic climate change (one shot girl vs the 160,000 people a year who are already dying from climate change - World Health Organisation). I will not be breaching my bail conditions again, not sure that's the same things as withdrawing from activism... So - ummm - get involved guys.
- Tamsin, London, 15/10/2008 12:30
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Who are these people who take such obvious pleasure in the idea of peaceful protestors being shot? Thank god they're not allowed to join the police, in this country at least.
- Graham, London, 15/10/2008 12:15
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Most of the radical thinking people from the 60's probably go work in a suit these days. I think they realised you can't change the world, it's just too corrupt. It’s probably best Tamsin gives it all up and get a job. Those student loans will need to replayed at some point.
- Paul, London, 15/10/2008 12:05
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It seems to me to be completely unnecessary and an abuse of power that someone should spend a night in our extremely overcrowded jail system, merely for protesting. The Home Secretary appears to favour the methods of the former Communist bloc in this as in other areas, such as 'big brother' style data gathering. This will end in tears - as it did for Hoenecker and Co.
- Peter Haldane, London, 15/10/2008 12:05
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A stupid silly bored little rich girl, with np guts to even carry out here convictions.
What a prize loser.
- P I Staker, London, 15/10/2008 12:01
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Welcome to the real world, Tamsin.
- Ken, Bexleyheath, 15/10/2008 12:00
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Funny that someone who scales the houses of parliament while campaigning for something most people agree is right will go to prison, while a drunken driver who kills a person or a greedy fat cat who effectively masterminds the 'robbery' of pension funds and the 'murder' of a whole economy can each get off without a jail sentence or any real stricture. In the later case, the taxpayer (and pension holder) pays out to bail them. Hmmm.... Of course, when the new laws on reading emails etc comes into force, I won't be making this kind of observation any more ....
- Helen, norwich, 15/10/2008 11:10
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Silly little girl! Don't play with fire if you cannot take the heat. I wonder if it has dawned on her yet that she could have been shot!.
- Steve, London, 15/10/2008 10:59
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