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Extinction Rebellion protesters glue themselves to Speaker’s Chair in House of Commons

Kate Buck
·Breaking News Editor, Yahoo News UK
Updated ·3-min read

The short of it

  • Extinction Rebellion protesters were able to gain access to the House of Commons and glue themselves to the Speaker's chair on Friday afternoon

  • The climate change group said around 50 of their members "took non-violent action" - including some who padlocked themselves to the gates of Parliament by their necks

  • The group were demanding the start of a citizen's assembly

(Extinction rebellion)
Extinction Rebellion supporters have glued themselves to the Speaker's chair in the House of Commons. (Extinction rebellion)

The long of it

Extinction Rebellion protesters have glued themselves to the Speaker's chair in the House of Commons and padlocked themselves to Parliament railings by their necks.

The climate change group said that around 50 of their members took "took non-violent action" on Friday afternoon to demand a citizens' assembly to discuss the climate crisis.

Five supporters were pictured in the chamber, with three of them gathered directly around the chair.

Two others were holding up signs which said: "Let the people decide", and "Citizens assembly now".

Banners were also hung outside Parliament with the same slogans.

The group wrote on Twitter: “Extinction Rebellion supporters have superglued around the Speaker’s chair inside the Commons chamber.

“Right now inside Parliament a speech is being read out demanding a Citizens’ Assembly now: ‘We are in crisis. We can not afford to carry on like this’.”

The Metropolitan Police said they were responding to the protest.

Protesters also raised banners outside. (XR)
Protesters also raised banners outside. (XR)
Extinction Rebellion protesters, who have padlocked their necks to the railings, outside the Houses of Parliament, Westminster, calling for a Citizen's assembly. The campaign group says supporters have also superglued themselves around the Speaker's chair in the House of Commons chamber. Picture date: Friday September 2, 2022.
Extinction Rebellion protesters, who have padlocked their necks to the railings outside the Houses of Parliament. (PA)
Extinction Rebellion protesters demonstrating on scaffolding, erected for renovation work, outside the Houses of Parliament, Westminster, calling for a Citizen's assembly. The campaign group says supporters have also superglued themselves around the Speaker's chair in the House of Commons chamber. Picture date: Friday September 2, 2022.
Extinction Rebellion protesters demonstrating on scaffolding, erected for renovation work, outside the Houses of Parliament, Westminster, calling for a Citizen's assembly. The campaign group says supporters have also superglued themselves around the Speaker's chair in the House of Commons chamber. Picture date: Friday September 2, 2022.

In a statement on Twitter they said: "The Met is aware of a demonstration by a number protesters at the Palace of Westminster.

"Met police and Parliamentary staff are responding."

A House of Commons spokesperson said: "We are aware of an incident on the Parliamentary Estate and are currently dealing with the situation as a matter of urgency."

The nation is currently in its final days of waiting to hear who the next prime minister will be, as the Tory party decides between Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak.

If elected leader, Truss has has vowed to clamp down on “unfair protests” after a small group of climate activists disrupted her speech at a Tory leadership hustings in Eastbourne, East Sussex, last month.

She was heckled by protesters over climate change and energy bills.

Protesters seen in the Houses of Parliament(XR)
Protesters seen in the Houses of Parliament(XR)

Truss said after they left the studio: “Can I just say a few words on the militant people who try and disrupt our country and who try and disrupt our democratic process and try and disrupt our essential services.

“I would legislate immediately to make sure that we are standing up to militant trade unions who stop ordinary commuters getting into work. And I would legislate to protect our essential services.”

She added: “And I will make sure that militant activists such as Extinction Rebellion are not able to disrupt ordinary people who work hard and do the right thing and go into work.

“I will never ever, ever allow our democracy to be disrupted by unfair protests.”