Climate activist Angus Rose ends hunger strike after 37 days as government agrees to public climate briefing

A climate protestor - who went without food for 37 days - has ended his hunger strike after the government agreed to hold a public climate briefing.

Angus Rose, 52,  excitedly shared an update on Twitter, saying a briefing delivered by the chief scientific adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance, would be recorded and made available to the public.

The software engineer from London had lost two stone and nine pounds during his hunger strike and had felt weak and light headed.

He sat outside the House of Commons every day for over six weeks holding a sign that read “Uncle on Hunger Strike”, saying he was doing it for his niece and nephew’s futures.

His action was inspired by a father-of-three in Switzerland in 2021, who went on hunger strike with a similar demand.

The Swiss government eventually organised the climate education for decision-makers that he was asking for.

“There is some very good news,” he said in a video posted on Twitter.

“With the help of many others behind the scenes, a briefing has been secured.

“A briefing for both parliament and the cabinet delivered by Sir Patrick Vallance and the briefing will be recorded and made to the public.

“This is what I was on hunger strike for, this was a really important step to try to secure a liveable future for my nephews and niece.

“The future looks a lot better.”

Speaking to LondonWorld earlier on Tuesday he said: “The easiest way to understand why I’m taking this action is, if I were a Ukrainian living in Ukraine I would be risking my life to defend my family and community.”

“Here it is no different than the climate crisis is orders of magnitude more threatening to this civilisation here in the UK than a war on Ukrainians.”

Mr Rose’s hunger strike comes during a series of environmental protests throughout this month led by the Extinction Rebellion.

The group has said it will continue to hit London with “highly disruptive” protests until the government meets its demands.

Further action is planned for this weekend April 22 and 24, next weekend April 30 and May 1 and the following weekend May 7 and 8.