Westminster protest: Vegan activists spray Parliament with ‘fake milk’ near Big Ben and block road

Protestors have sprayed the Parliament walls near Big Ben with “fake milk” and blocked roads in Westminster ahead of Liz Truss’ first appearance at Prime Minister’s Questions.

Animal activists daubed the outer walls of the House of Commons in white paint, symbolising the dairy industry, and blocked Parliament Street junction at 10.45am today (September 7).

It came ahead of Ms Truss first appearance in Parliament as prime minister.

Photos show protestors seated in the road surrounded by Met Police officers.

The group says nine individuals took action by entering the road, blocking traffic and pouring and spraying the paint, including by using modified fire extinguishers.

It follows an Animal Rebellion protest on Monday, amid their Plant-Based Future campaign, with empty milk shelves reported in Plymouth, Portsmouth, Bristol and Birmingham.

Six critical dairy distribution facilities have been disrupted since Sunday, the group said.

Campaigners want “drastic” changes to combat the cost of living and climate crises and are calling on the new prime minister to engage with their demands.

Supporters of Animal Rebellion want farmers to forge a “plant-based future”.

Andrew Howard, 63, who is at the Westminster demonstration this morning said: “Today’s action is a direct challenge to Liz Truss.

“We are calling on her to make the drastic changes that we know need to happen in order to combat the cost-of-living, climate, and ecological crises we are facing.”

The retired firefighter from Sheffield added: “Supporting farmers into a plant-based future, whilst rewilding the land this would free up, is a total no-brainer.

“A plant-based future means cheaper food, more nature, and massive amounts of carbon drawn down from the atmosphere.”

The group is also concerned about the appointment of Ranil Jayawardena as Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, which they say is a risk to British farmers.

An Animal Rebellion spokesperson said: “Jayawardena’s inability to provide assurances on the free trade deal with Australia before Parliament broke for summer has left farmers in an uncertain and worrying position.”

While Dr Alice Brough, 31, a livestock vet from Gloucestershire, said: “Liz Truss and Ranil Jayawardena’s attitude of prioritising free trade, no matter the cost, shows shocking neglect for British farmers, and therefore the rest of us struggling with the cost-of-living crisis.”

“She needs to immediately rebuild her broken relationship with farming and fishing communities and support a sustainable, plant-based food system by tackling the energy price crisis, rising costs, and lack of security British farms are facing.

“Supporting farmers in a plant-based transition will achieve all of this and more.”

Political journalist Caitlin Doherty tweeted: “What looks like white paint has been splashed on the outer walls of Parliament right next to Big Ben.

“Right next to it a small group of protesters [are] sat in the road chanting ‘protect our planet, respect our future’.”

She added: “Westminster Bridge [is] closed from Parliament Square and a lot of police [are] around.”

A Met Police spokesperson said: “The Met is aware that at approximately 10.50am today (Wednesday, September 7), a group of protesters have thrown a white liquid over the gates and walls of the Palace of Westminster on Bridge Street.

“A group of six also carried out a sit down protest on the carriageway. Officers were promptly on scene and are dealing with the situation.

“Ten individuals have been arrested for criminal damage. Traffic has resumed to normal.