Police have begun investigations into the alleged poisoning of three Sheffield tree workers by tree campaigners Dr John Unwin and wife Sue, but couple claim that these are ‘ridiculous allegations’.
The incident in question dates back to October when the couple were asked to make drinks for the three tree workers.
Sue comments: “It’s the most ridiculous allegation I’ve heard in my life.”
She said she had made cups of tea for Amey workers on “more than one” occasion as a “delay tactic”, “We’ve always been very friendly to everyone that arrives on the street and giving them a cup of tea is a way to stop them chopping a tree down for five minutes” Sue comments.
“We’ve just been concentrating on our local campaign here on Chatsworth Road,” Sue continued. “All we did was make two cups of tea and some orange squash – we’ve done no more. It’s a very serious allegation and it’s very upsetting they should think we would even consider doing something like that to anyone – I wouldn’t do that to my worst enemy.”
“We’ve always been very friendly to everyone that arrives on the street and giving them a cup of tea is a way to stop them chopping a tree down for five minutes
“I’m just appalled that they would think me and my husband would do something so evil as that.”
John added: “I think it’s just another part of the jigsaw of trying to make the protesters look bad.
“They’ve had quite a lot of patience with the protesters and that’s running out now.”
A South Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: “Officers have carried out forensic tests and have spoken to a number of witnesses regarding this matter and inquiries are ongoing.”
