Tory MP backs drivers in clash with protesters
NORTH West Leicestershire MP Andrew Bridgen has applauded drivers filmed dragging Insulate Britain activists out of the way of an ambulance they believed to be answering an emergency call.
The outspoken Tory backbencher took to Twitter to commend members of the public who confronted a group of the environmental protesters.
The altercation was reported on Wandsworth Bridge, on the Thames, in south London, on Monday morning.
Angry drivers can be seen dragging protesters out of the road where they appeared to be blocking an ambulance.
Sharing the clip to his Twitter followers, Mr Bridgen wrote: “The Great British public have had enough of these anarchists and their illegal and irresponsible behaviour obstructing the passage of an ambulance – and preventing people from getting to work.”
The incident was one of several clashes reportedly involving activists from Insulate Britain – a campaign group formed by people involved in global environmental movement Extinction Rebellion – in the capital this week.
The group said about 50 people had blocked four sites around the city during the fourth week of its campaign to urge the government to insulate 29 million homes by 2030.
Other locations being targeted this week included the Blackwall Tunnel, in east London, where LBC London Radio captured the moment a woman stuck in the traffic tearfully clashed with protesters blocking her journey to see her mother in hospital on Monday.
Amid blaring horns from dozens of other angry motorists, she told them: “She’s in the ambulance, she’s going to the hospital in Canterbury, do you think I’m stupid?
“I need to go to the hospital, please let me pass. How can you be so selfish?”
Protesters wearing hi-vis jackets appeared to be speaking quietly with the woman, but showed no sign of letting her through.
By late morning, the Metropolitan Police said 38 people had been arrested for disruption of the highway and conspiracy to cause public nuisance.
A message shared to followers of the force’s official Twitter account said: “We consider protests of this nature unreasonable and are acting as quickly as possible to minimise disruption caused to members of the public using the roads.”
Similar protests have previously been held by the group targeting the M25, M4 and the Port of Dover.
It followed the Government taking out a fresh injunction last week banning Insulate Britain protesters from obstructing traffic and access to motorways and major A Roads in and around the capital.
Anyone who breaks the injunction faces prison or an unlimited fine and activists found in contempt of court may also be forced to repay the costs of their case.
Insulate Britain has pledged to continue its action until the Government makes a “meaningful statement indicating that they will insulate all of Britain’s 29 million leaky homes by 2030”.
BRIDGEN: ‘THE ‘PUBLIC HAVE HAD ENOUGH OF THESE ANARCHISTS’