A Just Stop Oil activist and GP who compared his conduct to that of the Suffragettes has been suspended from medical practice again after a tribunal concluded he had shown no remorse over damaging a petrol station.

Dr Patrick Hart said Britain’s “draconian” laws meant he was no longer able to take part in protests.

Hart used a hammer and chisel during a 2022 Just Stop Oil action to damage 16 Esso fuel pumps beside the M25.

Although the protest resulted in a prison sentence, he declined to express regret for what he did. He said he would not join further demonstrations because he did not want to “spend the rest of his life in prison”.

The doctor has drawn parallels between himself and the Suffragettes, arguing that they are now celebrated despite using comparable tactics in their fight against laws they regarded as unjust.

The outspoken GP, who has made appearances on Good Morning Britain, received a 12-month jail term over the 2022 Just Stop Oil protest that disrupted a service station on the M25.

At a professional tribunal hearing, Hart said he joined the action because he believed he had exhausted other options in confronting the climate “crisis”. He also said heatwave conditions were placing “increased pressure” on the NHS.

He had previously told a court that he “regrets nothing”, while citing the actions of historic figures including Martin Luther King Jr and Nelson Mandela before the Tribunal.

The Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service, or MPTS, suspended him from practising for 10 months last year.

Now, he has been suspended from practising for a further ten months after a panel found he showed a ‘contempt both for certain laws and the Tribunal process, having made it clear that he thought both were wrong to be punishing him’.

He qualified as a doctor in 2010 and was a practising GP at Bridge View Medical Practice in Bristol at the time of the protest, the tribunal heard. 

Dr Hart took part in a Just Stop Oil protest in April 2022, where he climbed onto the pipework at the Exolum Pumping Station and disrupted the storage and transportation of fuel.

He was fined £500 for that offence and was on bail.

Then in August 2022, he took part in another protest at Esso Service Station in Thurrock, Essex, where he used a hammer and orange spray paint to damage the petrol pumps.

This led to the closure of the forecourt on the M25 and left three-quarters of the petrol pumps out of action for 24 hours. 

Dr Hart was convicted at Chelmsford Crown Court, Essex, of criminal damage to property valued at £11,000 and the judge deemed this was contempt of court.

He was jailed for a year with the judge deeming the offences were ‘deliberate’ and were committed while he was on bail. 

In May 2023, he invaded the pitch during the Premiership Rugby Final at Twickenham and threw orange-coloured cornflour around, as part of a wave of Just Stop Oil protests at major sporting events at the time.

He was later found not guilty of causing criminal damage to the pitch at Twickenham.  

Dr Hart referred himself to the General Medical Council in September of that year.

An MPTS tribunal was held in 2025, and the panel decided to suspend Dr Hart for ten months.

He was suspended for another ten months in a new tribunal having given no new evidence and showing ‘no remorse’ for his actions. 

The tribunal heard: ‘He told the Tribunal that there was an impasse as he was committed to his position that he acted in good faith and with integrity.

‘He said that the suffragettes, now celebrated in society, acted in a similar way to resist unjust laws and effect change.’

The doctor refused to say that his actions were ‘wrong’ and he said that he had ‘dignity’, knowing he didn’t back down from his conviction.

The panel said: ‘Dr Hart said that he had taken no further part in climate activism that risks arrest because he does not want to spend the rest of his life in prison and the imposition of draconian laws restricting protest has made it ineffectual.

‘He said that he does not have access to resources to properly maintain his skills and knowledge other than reading for his own interest but that, in any case, he had no interest in providing such evidence to the Tribunal while it would find him impaired because of his lack of insight.

‘Dr Hart said that, despite being an otherwise law abiding citizen, to act with integrity included sometimes choosing to break certain laws in the interest of effecting change.

‘He said that the recent heatwaves in the UK and Europe had put an increased pressure on health services and that this would continue to get worse.’

The panel added: ‘The Tribunal considered that Dr Hart’s opinions regarding climate change were sincere and deeply held.

‘However, it considered that he had shown no insight into the negative impact of his misconduct or conviction on public confidence or on the profession.

‘Dr Hart was candid in stating his position that he believed he had done nothing wrong and that he was at an impasse with his regulator.

‘The Tribunal considered that Dr Hart had shown contempt both for certain laws and the Tribunal process, having made it clear that he thought both were wrong to be punishing him.

‘The Tribunal determined that Dr Hart had demonstrated no insight into his misconduct and conviction, despite his belief that his insight was excellent.

‘The Tribunal noted that Dr Hart had indicated his main reason for attending this hearing or a subsequent review was to use the public forum to express his views on the climate crisis.

‘The Tribunal considered that this reflected its earlier finding that Dr Hart had demonstrated contempt in some circumstances for both the law and this Tribunal.

‘Despite this, the Tribunal considered that erasure would be disproportionate to Dr Hart at his first review hearing.’

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The world’s most beautiful hotels for 2026 have been unveiled, highlighting extraordinary places to stay everywhere from historic estates to striking contemporary escapes for your next trip.

Chosen by a panel of expert reviewers, this year’s selection features regal UK retreats, exceptional properties in Japan and Morocco, and characterful boutique hotels across Europe and further afield.

A total of 33 properties have earned recognition among the year’s most beautiful stays in Time Out’s latest ranking.

The diverse line-up offers something for every kind of traveller, spanning an adventure-focused hotel in Iceland, a clifftop Bali resort and Cape Town’s storied ‘Pink Lady’ hotel.

Here is the guide to the world’s most spectacular hotels for 2026…

1. Ashford Castle, Ireland

Ashford Castle, once the home of the Guinness family, has no shortage of reasons to impress: magnificent grounds, 83 opulently appointed rooms and sweeping lakeside scenery among them.

Its story reaches back to the 13th century, when it began life as a medieval stronghold before becoming the grand retreat it is today. Over the centuries, it has welcomed royalty, aristocrats and other notable guests.

Guests can visit Ireland’s Best Hotel Spa 2025, go horseback riding or even handle a Harris hawk, making this a stay designed for anyone wanting a glimpse of aristocratic life.

2. The Hiramatsu Karuizawa Miyota, Japan

Located at the foot of Mount Asama, in Kitasaku-gun, the Hiramatsu Karuizawa Miyota is a stay like no other in Japan.

Food is very much the crown jewel here in this ‘gourmet’s paradise’ situated within a forest.

Indeed, the hotel’s motto is ‘One Stay, One Full Course,’ and you can enjoy modern French and Italian cuisine alongside incredible mountain views and a hot spring.

3. Four Seasons Hotel Firenze, Italy

The 11‑acre Giardino della Gherardesca on the grounds of Four Seasons Hotel Firenze is one of the largest private gardens in Florence – making it a unique oasis in the heart of one of Italy’s best cities for an art- and culture-fuelled weekend away.

The hotel blends Renaissance grandeur with authentic Italian hospitality, and last year reopened its Palazzo del Nero, an intimate historic palace pairing with Palazzo della Gherardesca inside the hotel. 

Within its walls, Onde, a glamorous seafood osteria, and Bar Berni, a vermouth-inspired cocktail bar, are top choices for a classy night out.

4. Jackalope Hotel, Australia 

A luxury winery in Victoria, Jackalope Hotel is incredibly swish: expect rooms with vineyard views, an infinity pool, spa and modern furnishings.

The concept – unique and somewhat bizarre – stems from a mythological creature born from jackrabbits and antelope. 

‘This concept became intrinsically tied to Jackalope, the creature’s own duality forming the foundation for the architecture of the hotel – bold, monolithic, avant-garde, and completely out of place on what is considered a traditional vineyard location,’ the hotel website explains. 

5. Fifth Avenue Hotel, New York

Stepping into Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue Hotel truly feels like stepping back in time into the Gilded Age.

The Mansion itself was built in 1907 by McKim, Mead & White, one of the last private homes of its kind in this part of Manhattan, and it still carries the curiosities of that era. 

It is filled with whimsical interiors, jewel tones, patterned marble beneath fingertips, velvet, expensive-looking surfaces and a simultaneously homely and highly elevated feel.

6. Ritz-Carlton Abama, Tenerife

Located on the volcanic shores of Tenerife, The Ritz-Carlton Tenerife, Abama is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, Mount Teide and lush gardens – so it’s already won the jackpot here.

It boasts 459 rooms, suites and penthouses and is organised into distinct environments: the Citadel, the lively heart of dining and social life, the Retreat, offering privacy for adults and families, and the Penthouses Collection, blending residential comfort with sophistication.

The hotel features Michelin-starred dining as well as a spa, beach and entertainment for children.

7. ION Adventure Hotel, Iceland

Few Iceland hotels are as indisputably cool as this.

ION Adventure Hotel juts out of a mountain, and has just 45 rooms for guests seeking an immersive, luxurious and very much ‘in the middle of nature’ hotel stay.

Here, you can explore the nearby surroundings: enjoy a horseback riding tour in the beautiful surroundings of the Ölfus area in South Iceland, hike inside a dormant volcano and snorkel in the icy waters of Silfra.

It is situated on Mount Hengill, 18km from UNESCO-listed Thingvellir National Park. 

8. Le Jardin des Douars, Morocco

A Morocco break as it should be done: located in the heart of the hills of beach town Essaouira, the Jardin des Douars is a boutique hotel that truly blends into the landscape.

With orange stone buildings, lush greenery and a real ‘hidden gem’ feel, you’ll avoid the tourist traps of Marrakech here and enjoy a stay that draws upon authentic Moroccan style, design and hospitality.

Hammam, massages, body treatments and rituals inspired by Moroccan traditions are also available to enhance your time away.

9. The Phoenicia, Valletta

Opened in 1947, The Phoenicia Malta is Malta’s first five-star hotel, located at the entrance to Valletta – last year named the Best City in the World by Condé Nast Traveller’s 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards.

Steps away from Valletta, the hotel offers seven acres of private gardens and blends centuries-old limestone with modern amenities.

You can also enjoy the Phoenicia Spa & Wellness, taste Mediterranean flavours at Contessa restaurant and stroll from the Art Deco lobby straight into the heart of Valletta.

10. Mount Nelson, Cape Town

Cape Town has long been an ‘it’ destination – and Mount Nelson the most chic of all.

Right next to the iconic Table Mountain, the ‘Pink Lady’ hotel has stood since 1899, with gorgeous gardens and an all-star guest list: the hotel has welcomed everyone from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle to John Lennon, Marlene Dietrich and the Dalai Lama.

The rose-tinted hotel also has standout South African food, with seafood-inspired cuisine at Amura by Chef Angel Leon to a classic afternoon tea. 

11. The Ungasan Clifftop Resort, Bali

Bali, home to jungle-inspired hotels with infinity pools and views that extend for miles, is full of beautiful places to stay – but this hotel is next level.

The Ungasan Clifftop Resort, perched above the Indian Ocean, has luxurious villas and suites with everything you could want from a Bali holiday.

Some of the villas sleep more than 10 guests, such as the glamorous Villa Santai Sorga, with 2500 sqm of colonial charm, manicured tropical gardens and clifftop ocean setting.

12. 1 Hotel Mayfair, London

Sustainability is the order of the day at 1 Hotel Mayfair.

Greenery is everywhere you look – the hotel boasts 1,300 individual plants, shrubs and trees, and offers a full electric vehicle to take you around in (eco-friendly) style.

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Plus, the building’s roof rainwater is used to keep the plants hydrated. Pretty and good for the planet. 

13. Le Pavillon de La Reine, Paris

Located directly on the historic Place des Vosges in the heart of the Marais district of Paris, few addresses in the French capital are quite as coveted as this one.

Le Pavillon de La Reine features 17th-century fireplaces and antiques, a hidden garden retreat and picturesque ivy-covered walls.

‘This was one of the best hotels I’ve stayed at in the world and by far the best I’ve stayed at in Paris,’ one guest wrote. 

‘I can’t say enough good things about this place and highly recommend it to anyone visiting Paris. I look forward to staying here again in the future.’

14. Gleneagles, Scotland

In Scotland, The Gleneagles Hotel is perhaps one of the best-known and most coveted hotel stays you can find.

For more than a century, the hotel has hosted visitors seeking to explore lochs, glens and golf courses, as well as the spa and Michelin-starred dining.

Rooms are tastefully decorated, with a classy and elevated feel – perfect for an elevated family holiday. 

15. Madonna Inn, California 

Rounding out the top 15 most beautiful hotels is the Madonna Inn in California, a pink and whimsical hotel perfect for anyone seeking something slightly out of the ordinary.

The hotel has 110 uniquely themed rooms, from a ‘caveman’ room to garish and bright suites, Victorian-style bedrooms and a San Francisco room.

‘The Madonna Inn never disappoints. We recently stayed in the Old English room and loved how spacious and uniquely themed it was,’ one visitor wrote.

‘The whole hotel is a visual treat, and we had the best time exploring the grounds and gift shops. A huge bonus for families: the pool area is incredible!’

A Texas man was fatally stabbed while sitting on a park bench in what police describe as a random attack allegedly carried out by a career criminal.

Andrew James Wimsatt, 62, was discovered dead at Chandler Creek Park in Round Rock on Monday. Benedict Ogbodiegwu has been charged with murder in connection with his death.

It later emerged that Wimsatt had been walking with his mother, who has Alzheimer’s, before he was killed.

An arrest affidavit reviewed by the Austin American-Statesman said surveillance video captured Ogbodiegwu, 26, attacking Wimsatt.

The footage reportedly shows Wimsatt sitting on a bench at about 11am when Ogbodiegwu approached and began striking him with a knife.

Ogbodiegwu allegedly put his left arm around Wimsatt, prompting Wimsatt to try to push him away.

According to the affidavit, Ogbodiegwu stabbed Wimsatt several times until he fell to the ground, then allegedly continued the attack.

The document said Ogbodiegwu was then seen placing his knee on Wimsatt’s chest before cutting across his neck.

Before leaving Chandler Creek Park, Ogbodiegwu allegedly wiped the knife blade on Wimsatt’s shirt.

The Williamson County Sheriff’s Office launched a manhunt for Ogbodiegwu after the killing, releasing images of him captured at a McDonald’s in the aftermath.

Hours later, he was found at an address in Round Rock. A blade was found at the residence, which authorities said in the affidavit had a red substance on it.  

Investigators have said that the attack was random and that the two men did not know each other. 

Ogbodiegwu is facing a single charge of murder for the killing and is being held inside Williamson County Jail with his bail set at $1 million.  

According to court records seen by the Daily Mail, Ogbodiegwu was arrested in January for theft, but the case was dismissed. 

In May he was again arrested after allegedly giving police a fake name, but again, the case was dismissed. 

In 2017 he was also facing a felony charge of theft from a person, but the case was dismissed. 

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Since his passing, friends of Wimsatt have paid tribute to him, including Fox host Greg Gutfeld. 

Speaking on Fox’s ‘The Five,’ he said: ‘He was a huge help to us on Red Eye and Gutfeld and he was a big fan of The Five. 

‘Probably the most non transactional person ever, he would do anything for you and never ask for anything in return. 

‘He would come to our tapings, our live shows. Super smart dude, everybody who knew him loved him.

‘He was murdered on Labor Day by a maniac while he was sitting on a bench after he had taken his mother for a walk because she has Alzheimer’s.

‘He was murdered in cold blood, Rest in peace Andrew, you will be missed.’ 

In another post to his X, Gutfeld said: ‘He was one of the sweetest most helpful persons I’ve ever met. Supremely gentle. 

 ‘Willing to do just about anything for another person. And he was stabbed to death on a street at 11 am in the morning. 

‘For no reason other than a maniac was free to roam the streets. Rest in peace Andrew. We won’t forget you.’

Fellow friend David Burge posted to X saying that Wimsatt was a ‘gentle and generous soul.’

According to Burge, Wimsatt was a civil engineer, a music lover and a long-time supporter of libertarian causes.

In a statement, the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office said: ‘The victim in the September 7th, 2026 homicide investigation in the Chandler Creek Subdivision has been identified as 62-year-old Andrew James Wimsatt of Austin, Texas. 

‘We extend our deepest condolences to Mr. Wimsatt’s family and loved ones. The investigation remains active and ongoing, and no further details will be released at this time.’