A PROTESTER who faced court action following a heated Staffordshire County Council meeting has had the charge against him withdrawn.
Damon Hoppe is now calling for a public apology from council leader Cllr Martin Murray after the Crown Prosecution Service withdrew the case.
Mr Hoppe, of Yarnfield, was due to appear at Cannock Magistrates’ Court to face an assault charge, but on his arrival he was told the case had been discontinued.
He said:
"I have been so full of anxiety, stress and worry. I can’t believe it has come this far.
"The case should never have been brought in the first place. The allegations were false, malicious and bordering on ridiculous."
In December 2025, he was one of five people escorted by police from County Buildings during a full council meeting.
Members of the Stafford Campaign Against Racism and Fascism started chanting from the public gallery. They said they would not leave until Reform councillors accused of making racist comments on social media resigned.
The meeting was suspended and the police were called to remove the protestors.
Mr Hoppe was accompanied to the court by more than a dozen supporters, including fellow protestors who have been displaying banners outside Stafford’s County Buildings on county council meeting days.
Since the December meeting, security has been beefed up at the council.
Members of the media and public are now required to sign in and enter County Buildings via a separate door for full council and cabinet meetings – and are not permitted to take coats or bags into the public gallery.
Five people, including Mr Hoppe, have not been permitted into the public gallery to view meetings in recent months.
A letter given to one of the protesters on behalf of the county council in February said:
"When you attended the meeting on 11th December 2025 it became necessary for the meeting to be adjourned.
"This was because you refused to comply with the requests of the Chairman to allow the meeting to progress. Your conduct led to a prolonged disruption of a public meeting and Staffordshire Police had to attend before you agreed to leave the chamber.
"Staffordshire County Council wholly supports the right of any person to engage in peaceful and lawful protest. We must ensure that the important business of the council can be conducted and that our members feel safe in the conduct of their role.
"You can view a live broadcast of the council meeting."
A Staffordshire Police spokesperson said:
"The matter has been withdrawn, but we are still actively carrying out enquiries as part of an active investigation."
Cllr Murray was approached for comment by the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
