More than 50 eco-protesters arrested after Westminster brought to standstill

Eco-campaigners have vowed to proceed bringing disruption to central London (Image: REX)

Dozens of environmental protesters have been arrested throughout an try and ‘occupy’ Westminster.

Protests which have introduced roads to a standstill continued for a fourth day within the centre of London.

The demonstrations are being led by the group Simply Cease Oil in opposition to new drilling within the North Sea.

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson confirmed 54 protesters had been being held at varied police stations on suspicion of obstructing a freeway.

Protesters chanting ‘no extra oil’ descended on Downing Road earlier than marching within the highway in direction of Parliament Sq..

Some demonstrators glued themselves to the highway in an try to dam it, a tactic which has develop into more and more frequent amongst eco-groups.

The demonstration was held in response to plans by the North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA), the physique that represents the UK’s offshore power sector, which is hoping to launch an additional spherical of oil and gasoline licensing in October.

Enterprise and power secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg has accepted the plans, saying ‘in gentle of Putin’s unlawful invasion of Ukraine and weaponisation of power, strengthening our power safety is an absolute precedence’.

A small group of protesters introduced visitors to a standstill near the Palace of Westminster and Downing Road (Image: Getty)

Alan Woods, a enterprise proprietor and Simply Cease Oil supporter, stated ‘I received’t have enterprise left until we stress our authorities to cease all new oil and gasoline, put money into renewables and roll out insulation’.

The 58-year-old continued: ‘The answer to the power disaster and the local weather disaster are the identical – we’re at a crossroads. The federal government should make the fitting selection.

‘As a enterprise proprietor of over 40 years I’ve seen lots of challenges, however the local weather and power disaster is an important problem of our time – that’s why I've to be right here after I must be again in Wigan working my enterprise.’

Simply Cease Oil has vowed to proceed its marketing campaign till the federal government meets its calls for, which is for no extra new oil and gasoline initiatives to be accepted within the UK.

Dozens of protesters have been arrested for the reason that weekend (Image: Shutterstock)

A Met spokesperson stated: ‘Officers arrested 54 protestors on suspicion of wilful obstruction of the freeway.

‘They've been taken into custody at varied London police stations the place they continue to be.

‘By roughly 14.30hrs, officers had re-opened entry routes to Parliament Sq..’

The pressure beforehand acknowledged 31 individuals had been arrested in central London on Sunday.

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