Emma Smart, 44, along with Ben Buse, 36, Roman Paluch-Machnik, 28, Oliver Rock, 41, Tim Speers, 36, and James Thomas, 47, were given a four-month sentence for their protests on the M25 on October 8. As the group were taken to the prison cells, they could be heard chanting: "We are unstoppable, another world is possible."

       The judge, Dame Victoria Sharp, said: "The defendants, or some of them, seem to want to be martyrs for their cause, and the media campaign surrounding this hearing appears designed to suggest this.

       "We, however, have to act dispassionately and proportionately."

       Speaking about his wife’s conviction, Mr Smith, 45, husband of the convicted Emma Smart, said: “It's something we discuss quite frequently.

       “She is incredibly resolute in her actions.

       “I stand by her in all the decisions she makes.

       “Morally they are in the right in this instance and she really stands by her convictions.

       “She's an incredibly passionate person who has spent her whole entire adult life trying to save wildlife and protect the environment.

       “That's deeply ingrained in who she is.

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       “That freedom to go out onto the street and protest has been taken away from her, so her going on a hunger strike in prison is another way to continue that process.

       “All nine of them in court today were pretty resolute that you can sentence them, but this isn't going to resolve the problem and people will still continue to protest.

       “Obviously I'm terrified. It's a horrible thing for her to go through but I stand by her decision to do that.

       “It's (going on hunger strike) something we discuss quite frequently, the different ways we can make sacrifices to highlight injustices.

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       “I'm aware that she had previously talked to other people who've already done hunger strikes and been on hunger strikes.

       “She's a scientist, she's done her research.”

       Speaking about her decision to go on hunger strike, Ms Smart said: “Our Government is betraying us, betraying our vulnerable people and betraying our children's future.

       “I believe that my intentions are morally right, even if my actions are deemed legally wrong.

       “This court may see me as being on the wrong side of the law, but in my heart I know I am on the right side of history.

       “I will not be a bystander.”