How the trial of the Colston Four was won: the inside story

The acquittal of four protesters in Bristol sparked fury from the government – and raised fresh questions about justice, racism and history.

By Tom Lamont

Illustration by Klawe Rzeczy

On the eve of the trial of the Colston Four, a 46-year-old barrister called Liam Walker leaned over from his seat in the corner of a Bristol pub to talk to the people at the nearest table. “What do you reckon, then?” Walker asked. “If you were on the jury, would you acquit or convict?”