Extinction Rebellion to end London climate change protests

Extinction Rebellion will end their protests in London after claiming success in their bid to open a "space for truth-telling".

The demonstrators caused widespread disruption in the capital last week and were planning a march to its financial hub, but their efforts will go no further.

Blockades at Marble Arch and Parliament Square will finish with a ceremony at Speaker's Corner in Hyde Park at 5pm on Thursday, although the group has hinted that more action could be on the way at a later date.

In a statement, they said: "We will leave the physical locations but a space for truth-telling has been opened up in the world. The truth is out, the real work is about to begin. The international rebellion continues.

"It is now time to go back into our communities, whether in London, around the UK or internationally. This movement is not just about symbolic actions, but about building the necessary resilient and regenerative culture that the world needs now. Expect more actions very soon."

Police have made hundreds of arrests as a result of the protests, which have continued in earnest this week.

On Monday, at least 100 activists laid down on the floor in the lobby of the Natural History Museum in a stunt organisers called a "die in".

Some wore red face paint, veils and robes as they covered the area beneath the famous skeleton of the blue whale for about 30 minutes, making it difficult for visitors to cross the space.

Despite the continued disruption, which was criticised by Met Police Commissioner Cressida Dick, a Sky Data poll has found that most Britons have been inspired by the protests.

While 53% oppose the extreme tactics, which have included protesters gluing themselves to trains, a clear majority are sympathetic to the policies they are pushing for - 60% approve, while just 20% do not.

Extinction Rebellion want urgent action to halt climate change and to stop the decline in biodiversity, and have called on the government to reduce UK carbon emissions to net zero by 2025.

Among their supporters are actress Emma Thompson and 16-year-old activist Greta Thunberg, who started a school strike movement by skipping lessons to demonstrate outside the Swedish parliament for months.

The teenager met with British party leaders during a visit to Westminster this week and also made time to address hundreds of the climate change protesters, telling them that humanity was at a crossroads.

During her chat with the politicians, the Nobel Peace Prize nominee mournfully said: "We probably don't even have a future any more.

"That future has been sold so that a small number of people can make unimaginable amounts of money. It was stolen from us every time you said 'the sky is the limit'."

Environment Secretary Michael Gove told her: "We have not done nearly enough. Suddenly in the past few years it has become inescapable that we have to act.

"The time to act is now, the challenge could not be clearer, Greta you have been heard."