Eight folks have been arrested after Extinction Rebellion protesters superglued themselves across the Speaker’s chair within the House of Commons and padlocked their necks to the railings exterior.
The environmental activist group mentioned round 50 of its supporters “took non-violent action” demanding a residents’ meeting to debate the local weather disaster.
Five protesters had been pictured within the Commons chamber, with some holding indicators which learn “let the people decide” and “citizens’ assembly now”.
They are understood to have entered the constructing after reserving an official tour, earlier than breaking away from the group to stage the protest.
The Metropolitan Police mentioned specialist protester elimination crew officers labored to take away the demonstrators.
The drive denied that activists glued themselves on to the Speaker’s chair.
Four within the Commons chamber who had glued themselves to one another had been “de-bonded and arrested,” the drive mentioned, including: “None of these protesters were glued to the Speaker’s chair and there has been no damage to the Speaker’s chair.”
A protester who glued himself to the pavement contained in the Palace of Westminster was additionally de-bonded and arrested, whereas a protester who climbed onto some scaffolding inside the identical constructing got here down of his personal volition and was arrested.
Two protesters who locked themselves to the gates had been eliminated and arrested.
One demonstrator mentioned that activists had smuggled banners into the Commons in a “bag within a bag”.
Two protesters may be seen with locks round their necks and linked to the entrance gates of the Houses of Parliament.
Banners have additionally been dropped throughout The Palace of Westminster constructing.
In a tweet, Extinction Rebellion mentioned: “The protest points to the need for a citizens’ assembly to cut through the corruption in Westminster, update politics & let the people decide.”
A residents’ meeting is a gaggle of members of the general public introduced collectively to deliberate on coverage points.
Emergency autos from the police, fireplace and ambulance companies arrived on the scene shortly after the protest began at 12pm.
Police officers might be seen surrounding the demonstrators and had earlier led a singing crowd of them out of the parliamentary property.
A police helicopter was additionally seen flying over the constructing.
Parliament is presently on its summer time recess till Monday, when it is going to be confirmed whether or not Liz Truss or Rishi Sunak has gained the Tory management race.
A speech learn out by activists within the chamber mentioned: “We are in crisis. And what goes on in this chamber every day makes a joke out of us all. We cannot afford to carry on like this.
“It is feasible to behave on local weather and prices in a method that’s honest and helps everybody. But our political system is simply too old-fashioned and out of contact to see past the following election cycle and do what must be accomplished.”
A House of Commons spokesperson said: “We are conscious of an incident on the Parliamentary Estate and are presently coping with the scenario as a matter of urgency.”
Source: information.sky.com”