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Greenpeace protesters build massive pipeline around London's Canadian High Commission

The protesters blocked access to the Canadian embassy: Chris J Ratcliffe / Greenpeace
The protesters blocked access to the Canadian embassy: Chris J Ratcliffe / Greenpeace

Protesters have blocked off the Canada High Commission with a giant oil pipeline they built around the building with the slogan "Crudeau Oil".

As Justin Trudeau touches down in London for the Commonwealth heads of government meeting, climbers also scaled two entrance pillars to drop banners labelling the embassy "Crudeau Oil HQ".

It is a protest against Mr Trudeau's government’s plans to build an oil pipeline nearly 1,000km long from tar sands in the province of Alberta over indigenous lands to ports in the western province of British Columbia.

The protest pipeline was installed at 6am by 30 Greenpeace volunteers and runs from the main entrance of Canada House to the consular entrance on Cockspur Street.

Greenpeace UK oil campaigner Sara Ayech said: "Tar sands are the dirtiest fossil fuel on the planet, far more polluting than coal. Building this pipeline would make Trudeau’s claimed climate leadership a laughing stock.

"Trudeau is risking the health of Canada’s rivers and coast, the water supply and livelihoods of many indigenous people, and undermining the credibility of the Paris climate agreement, all to keep some struggling oil companies in profit."

Victoria Henry, a Canadian Greenpeace volunteer hanging a banner from Canada House, said: "I’m ashamed that a rich, developed and environmentally aware country like Canada is considering such a destructive and short-sighted project.

Trump with a better haircut? Justin Trudeau (Creative Touch Imaging Ltd/NurPhoto via Getty)
Trump with a better haircut? Justin Trudeau (Creative Touch Imaging Ltd/NurPhoto via Getty)

"How can we expect poorer nations, struggling to bring their people electricity, to take climate change seriously when we’re treating our own lands, rivers and climate with so little respect?

"Trudeau’s idea of climate leadership looks like Trump with a better haircut. It’s a national humiliation."

Mr Trudeau reiterated his support for the controversial pipeline project on Sunday, telling reporters: "The Trans Mountain expansion is a vital strategic interest to Canada − it will be built."

He said the pipeline would bring jobs to British Columbia, and when he approved the project in 2016 he argued there "isn't a country in the world" that would leave oil in the ground.