Extinction Rebellion protester dragged off Tube train by his feet by angry commuters

There were angry scenes during rush hour this morning as London commuters fought back against Extinction Rebellion environment protesters.

People stuck at Canning Town station cheered loudly as an activist from the protest group was dragged to the floor after climbing on top of a busy commuter train.

Video shared on social media appeared to show a number of protesters on top of a Tube carriage.

Holding a sign which read 'Business as usual = death', the protesters were met with shouting from angry passengers.

In another clip, a man was seen dragging one of the activists to the floor by his foot, while the protester also appeared to kick at those attempting to pull him off the train.

Scuffles took place within the crowd but it was not immediately clear who was involved.

A member of TfL staff appeared to stop people from attacking the male Extinction Rebellion member further, by intervening and holding them back.

Eight people have been arrested after there were also protest incidents at Shadwell and Stratford stations, British Transport Police (BTP) said.

They said: "We continue to urge protesters to not target the London Underground network. This is dangerous, not only for protesters but for commuters.”

There were delays on the Jubilee line and Docklands Light Railway following the incident.

Extinction Rebellion co-founder Clare Farrell defended the Tube action and said: "The public, I don't think, realise quite how serious this situation is."

Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, she added: "It is still peaceful, and it is still non-violent.

"People did a similar action in April on the DLR train, those people were safe.

"It makes them vulnerable, and that's what people are there to do when they put their body on the line.

"There is a vast vulnerability that people have in the face of climate and ecological emergency."

Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, said in a statement: "I strongly condemn the Extinction Rebellion protesters who have targeted the London Underground and DLR this morning.

"This illegal action is extremely dangerous, counterproductive and is causing unacceptable disruption to Londoners who use public transport to get to work.

"It is also an unfair burden on our already overstretched police officers. I urge demonstrators to protest peacefully and within the boundaries of the law."

Jim Fitzpatrick, Labour MP for Poplar and Limehouse, said on Twitter: "So what point is Extinction Rebellion making shutting down East London's PUBLIC Transport system preventing ordinary people getting to work/school/hospital etc? !!"

The action is the latest in a series from the anti-climate change group, who have been banned from protesting in London.

Any assembly of more than two people linked to the XR Autumn Uprising action is now illegal in the capital.

Since last week, protesters have targeted London City Airport, shut down areas around Parliament and the Bank of England, and blockaded Google's HQ, with more than 1,600 people arrested.

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