Extinction Rebellion: Activists block access to oil facility near Heathrow Airport on day 4 of action

Climate change campaigners have staged a protest at an oil facility near Heathrow Airport on their fourth day of action.

Organised by Extinction Rebellion, around 30 people could be seen blocking the entrance to the Esso West oil facility in west London at 4am this morning.

Since Friday, Extinction Rebellion and a second campaign group, Just Stop Oil, have staged a number of protests at oil terminals and refineries across the UK.

The group says it “will not stop” until the government stops all fossil fuel investments.

Police arrested 14 activists who broke into a facility at Bedfont Road in Staines, Surrey on Friday for “aggravated trespass and criminal damage.”

Extinction Rebellion (XR) has announced that it will launch daily “mass participation” protests from London’s Hyde Park, beginning on April 9.

Spokesman Andrew Smith said on Friday that the group will be "more disruptive than ever" as it encouraged people to speak out against what it called "government inaction".

Speaking about the protest near Heathrow, he said: “We’re here to say that climate action cannot wait.

“Right now, governments are choosing to exploit the crisis in Ukraine to hand out oil licences and continue the fossil fuel economy that’s destroying us.

"They are exploiting public fear and disorientation at a time of crisis when people’s bills are going up to advance corporate-friendly policies incapable of attracting democratic support.

“The reality is, the UK public wants faster action on climate as the energy crisis hits.

“We know what is happening and what needs to be done – by acting in favour of corporate interest over the will of the people, the government is showing contempt for the people who elected them.

"How long ago did our Prime Minister say COP26 was our last chance to save humanity? And now they’re sidelining climate policy once again. This is not living in reality.”

In a statement, a spokesperson for ExxonMobil said at the time: "A small protest is currently underway outside our West London terminal, one of our five fuel terminals.

"While we respect the right to peaceful protest, our priority is the safety of our people, our neighbours, the protestors and our operations.

"We are working with the Police on site to ensure that safety is maintained.

"We empathise with anyone from the local community experiencing any inconvenience resulting from the actions today of this group."