Insulate Britain: Climate change group apologises for ‘causing disruption’

Activist group Insulate Britain has issued an apology for disruption caused during their recent protests around London.
Insulate Britain protestors blocked four roads in London this morning. Credit: Insulate BritainInsulate Britain protestors blocked four roads in London this morning. Credit: Insulate Britain
Insulate Britain protestors blocked four roads in London this morning. Credit: Insulate Britain

In recent weeks there has been a rise in protests by activist group Insulate Britain. The group has been seen in multiple videos across social media sites causing disruption on major roads including the M25 and M4.

The videos have been popular over social media, and have caused much debate, with many saying they are protesting for the right reasons in the wrong way.

Drivers stand watching from their cars as traffic is halted during a roadblock by protesters from Insulate Britain at a roundabout leading from the M25 motorway to Heathrow Airport in London. Picture date: Monday September 27, 2021. PA Photo. See PA story POLICE Insulate. Photo credit should read: Steve Parsons/PA Wire Drivers stand watching from their cars as traffic is halted during a roadblock by protesters from Insulate Britain at a roundabout leading from the M25 motorway to Heathrow Airport in London. Picture date: Monday September 27, 2021. PA Photo. See PA story POLICE Insulate. Photo credit should read: Steve Parsons/PA Wire
Drivers stand watching from their cars as traffic is halted during a roadblock by protesters from Insulate Britain at a roundabout leading from the M25 motorway to Heathrow Airport in London. Picture date: Monday September 27, 2021. PA Photo. See PA story POLICE Insulate. Photo credit should read: Steve Parsons/PA Wire
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During one of their most recent protests in which they blocked more roads into London, a woman was recorded begging the protesters to let her through so she could go and see her mother who was in an ambulance on her way to Canterbury hospital.

They have since issued an apology, with a spokesperson for the group stating that they are aware of the inconvenience but action needs to be taken given the circumstances: “The collapse of the climate is happening around us. We face economic chaos and the breakdown of law and order in a matter of years”.

“We ask the prime minister to make the statement the country wants to hear - that our government will live up to its responsibilities to protect us”

Police officers detain a protester from Insulate Britain occupying a roundabout leading from the M25 motorway to Heathrow Airport in London. Picture date: Monday September 27, 2021. Photo: Steve Parsons/PA WirePolice officers detain a protester from Insulate Britain occupying a roundabout leading from the M25 motorway to Heathrow Airport in London. Picture date: Monday September 27, 2021. Photo: Steve Parsons/PA Wire
Police officers detain a protester from Insulate Britain occupying a roundabout leading from the M25 motorway to Heathrow Airport in London. Picture date: Monday September 27, 2021. Photo: Steve Parsons/PA Wire

The Prime Minister addressed Insulate Britain at the Conservative Party Conference calling the activists: “irresponsible crusties”. He told LBC that those involved are “not” legitimate protesters and they are “doing considerable damage to the economy”.

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The government also announced plans to criminalise protesters that obstruct roads, railways and the press. The Home secretary Priti Patel called the actions ‘selfish’, and outlined measures to stop disruptive protests like this happening further at the Conservative Party conference today.

Another spokesperson for the group spoke with SkyNews saying that the disruption will continue until the government takes real action against climate change: “No action is being taken by them. There are lots of policies being mentioned, there are things that Boris has sang, but he’s not actually taking leadership to reduce the country’s CO2 output of this country,” Tim Gough said.