Whale’s rare UK visit may end in doom
Phil’s climate battle
TRAPPED Stricken whale A SPERM whale spotted dangerously close to the Northumberland shore “probably won’t survive”, according to British Divers Marine Life Rescue.
The young male, thought to be between 36ft and 59ft long, has lingered about 650ft from the shore in Newbiggin-by-the-Sea.
It has been rolling and displaying its pectoral fin in the shallows since Thursday afternoon.
Sperm whales rarely enter the North Sea as it lacks the colossal and giant squid they feed on.
It is feared the mammal, which is being monitored by medics, may starve to death, drown or wash up.
A spokeswoman for BDMLR told PA: “It’s likely that it’s taken a wrong turn and has ended up in a really poor condition.” Phil and bride Cathy PHIL KINGSTON ON PROTEST YESTERDAY Activists at BBC FIGHTER Phil Kingston is unafraid A PENSIONER arrested nine times this year for protesting with Extinction Rebellion says he is happy to go to jail to save his grandchildren.
Phil Kingston, 83, has been held three times in the past week alone during demos in London.
Yesterday – day five of the twoweek protest against inaction on climate change which has led to 1,123 arrests – activists blockaded the BBC headquarters.
Grandfather-of-four Phil has consistently been on the front line, leaving his family concerned.
He said: “I have good support from them but they’re worried about me. I understand but there’s no life without risk.
“I’d rather have more time on my allotment but there’s nothing more urgent than the climate. My grandchildren are my motivation. I have learned too much about what faces them. Whether we can turn this around I have no idea. I increasingly believe that we cannot.
“But I’m hoping there will be an awakening.”
On Thursday Phil was led away for blockading London City Airport. On Monday and last week he was arrested for spray painting the Treasury.
GLUED
During last April’s protests he was nicked four times in 11 days – once was for gluing himself to the roof of a train.
The former lecturer and probation officer said he plans to keep getting arrested until he sees “real change” and encouraged others to do the same.
He added: “It’s very important to get arrested. More conventional methods of campaigning are soaked up by the system.
“I’m an old man now and I can do anything.”
Phil isn’t afraid of getting prosecuted and ending up in prison.
He said: “I’d like the experience. I was a probation officer most of my career so I think I may have some things to offer.”
Phil began protesting in 2012 when he co-founded Grandparents for a Safe Earth in his home city of Bristol.
His wife Cathy died 25 years ago before he began researching climate change but he says he feels she would support him.
Daughter Ann Marie Nyarko, 58, said: “The worry is always there but we are also very proud. I am glad I can call him my dad.”
I’d rather be at allotment but nothing is more important than climate