The battle of the Clyde looms
CLIMATE activists are on a collision course with police today as they try to sail to Cop26.
The vessel Rainbow Warrior, which belongs to charity Greenpeace, has been refused permission to cruise up the Clyde in Glasgow.
However, its crew – including campaigners from developing nations – have vowed not to alter their plans.
The ship set off from the Cheshire port of Birkenhead on Saturday and by last night had dropped anchor in Kilchattan Bay off the Isle of Bute.
Festooned with banners reading ‘Stop Failing Us’, it is hoping to arrive this afternoon in Glasgow city centre, near the SEC where world leaders are meeting.
Crew member Farzana Faruk Jhumu, 22, from Bangladesh, said: ‘If they think they can hold a climate summit that will decide our future without us present, they’ve got another think coming. People from the most affected areas have been ignored for long enough.
‘We’re here to be heard, not cause trouble, and my friends and I are sailing to the climate summit whether they like it or not.’
Edwin Namakanga, 27, from Uganda, said: ‘World leaders should be rolling out the red carpet to people most affected by this crisis, not denying us from making our way to Cop26.’
Police Scotland has taken control of the Clyde for the duration of Cop26 and officers are patrolling the waters in launches.
If Rainbow Warrior continues on its course today, it looks likely to be confronted by the Royal Navy patrol vessel HMS Tyne, which was stationed overnight at the mouth of the Clyde between Helensburgh and Greenock.
On Saturday, Rainbow Warrior asked permission from the Clyde Port Authority to enter the river and tie up outside the SEC but the request was denied.
Assistant Chief Constable Gary Ritchie said: ‘The river is subject to movement and mooring restrictions for security purposes. No vessels are allowed in the prohibited security zone until the event ends.
‘River users have a responsibility to check the Notice to Mariners prior to departure so they’re aware of what bodies of water are accessible and which are restricted. Ministry of Defence Police [are] on the river at all times during the event in support of Police Scotland.’