Extinction Rebellion admits it has "serious flaws" and must "learn from what went wrong"

Extinction Rebellion admits it has "serious flaws" and must "learn from what went wrong" following a fortnight of protests.

More than 3,000 activists across the world were arrested during demonstrations against climate change this month, including Princess Marie-Esméralda of Belgium in Trafalgar Square and a 77-year-old rabbi near the Bank of England.

Controversial actions have included a protester scaling Big Ben dressed as Boris Johnson and breastfeeding mothers barricading the entrance to Google's London HQ.

But when two activists clambered on top of trains at Canning Town station in east London during the morning rush hour, Extinction Rebellion came under increasing pressure to condemn its own supporters.

The group ended up admitting its methods had not won the public's support and said they would revise how they carry out future actions.

In a statement on Friday, it said: "There are clearly serious flaws in a system that gives rise to pain such as many of us feel today.

"This movement is made up of people who pour their energy and hopes into this cause and who have been left feeling disrespected, powerless and unheard. It’s clear we need to take serious time to learn from what went wrong.

"We acknowledge that we still have not brought everyone with us on the issue of the climate and ecological emergency."

Extinction Rebellion added that it was "truly sorry" and acknowledged that the angry commuters who dragged the activists off the trains were simply "trying to get to work so they can support their loved ones".

But snap polls indicated the apology was too little too late for some and that the tide had turned against the climate change activists.

More than 60 per cent of Britons sympathised with the delayed Canning Town travellers as opposed to the protesters, according to YouGov.

Of those who took part in The Telegraph's opinion poll, 54 per cent said the demonstrations were a waste of time and by Friday morning only seven per cent of readers said they would be out protesting in the capital if they could.

Some have also accused the group of being hypocritical by damaging the environment they claim they want to protect.

Posters were circulated this week encouraging Extinction Rebellion members to use red spray paint to make handprints on government buildings and streets.

And earlier this month eco-warriors used a fire hose to douse the Grade II listed building housing Her Majesty’s Treasury with 400 gallons of blood red dye.

Extinction Rebellion told The Telegraph: "Extinction Rebellion will reflect, learn and evolve from the autumn uprising and indeed all past and future actions.

"XR will combine this learning with a continued adherence to the principle of nonviolent civil disobedience - in whatever future form XR rebels take - to demand that the media tell the truth about the full scale of the current climate and ecological emergency.

"As the International Monetary Fund says: 'Global warming causes major damage to the global economy and the natural world and engenders risks of catastrophic and irreversible outcomes'."