Climate protester climbs Big Ben in autumn uprising
An Extinction Rebellion protester scaled the scaffolding surrounding Big Ben yesterday, saying he was inspired by Swedish teenage activist Greta Thunberg.
Footage showed 43-yearold tree surgeon Ben Atkinson climbing the landmark dressed as Boris Johnson complete with a blond wig, shirt, tie and jacket.
When he reached the top, he draped two banners from the structure. One featured the Extinction Rebellion logo on a rainbow background and the words “No pride on a dead planet”, and the other said “Citizens Assembly”.
After reaching the top, Mr Atkinson posted on Facebook: “Gone and done it... Extinction Rebellion. Here to stay.”
“We got the declaration of climate emergency last time. Now perhaps, please Boris, you’re struggling to navigate Brexit let alone work our way out of the sixth mass extinction event.
“I know somewhere in there you have compassionate feelings towards something other than your career. Now you’ve got a chance to do something that could last for centuries.
“Oh, and thanks Greta. heard you calling.”
Shortly before climbing the building, Mr Atkinson posted a photo of himself with a blond wig, swimming goggles, blazer and tie, adding: “Ready steady breathe deep... go.”
The protester, who climbed the iconic clock tower shortly before 4pm, was stopped just before 7pm.
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Police officers used a lift attached to the scaffolding to bring the protester to the ground and at least six people were seen accompanying him to his descent.
As the lift reached the floor a group of supporters cheered from behind a fence surrounding the Palace of Westminster.
A spokesman for Extinction Rebellion said Mr Atkinson’s climb was to highlight government inaction on the climate and ecological emergency.
It is the latest in a string of stunts staged by Extinction Rebellion on the last day of their autumn uprising – despite being barred from protesting in the capital since Monday by the Met Police.
Earlier, the group performed a “red-handed” march, where they sprayed hand prints using chalk-based spray paint around Whitehall.
Hundreds of Extinction Rebellion protesters, followed by at least 14 police vans, marched towards Trafalgar Square ahead of a cabinet meeting on Brexit.
Steve Coogan, and his dog Dougal, joined the protest, and said: “I wanted to lend my voice to the cause.”
Yesterday also saw a climate change activist dubbed Mr Broccoli reveal his true identity.
Roland Everson, 46, a carpenter from Bristol, was wearing green face paint, a suit and a floret-style hat when he was detained in central London.
He later appeared on Good Morning Britain alongside presenters Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid to further highlight his cause.