The environmental activist group said around 50 of its supporters “took non-violent action” demanding a citizens’ assembly to discuss the climate crisis. Five protesters were pictured in the House of Commons, with some holding signs reading “let the people decide” and “Citizens’ Assembly now”. They appear to have entered the building after booking an official tour, before leaving the group to hold the protest. The Metropolitan Police said specialist officers from the protest removal team worked to remove the protesters. The force denied that the activists were glued directly to the president’s chair. Four in the House of Commons who had stuck together “were freed and arrested”, the force said, adding: “None of these protesters were stuck to the speaker’s chair and there was no damage to the speaker’s chair.”
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A protester who stuck himself to the pavement inside the Palace of Westminster was released and arrested, while a protester who climbed some scaffolding inside the same building came down of his own accord and was arrested.
Two protesters locked at the gates were removed and arrested.
Image: Extinction Rebellion protesters lock onto railings outside Parliament Buildings Image: Extinction Rebellion protesters protest on scaffolding erected for renovation work outside Parliament Buildings
One protester said activists had smuggled banners into the Commons in a “bag within a bag”.
Two protesters were also spotted with padlocks around their necks and tied to the front gates of the Parliament buildings.
Banners have also been dropped throughout the building of the Palace of Westminster.
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0:32 XR activists call for citizens’ climate rally
In a tweet, Extinction Rebellion said: “The protest highlights the need for a citizens’ assembly to curb corruption at Westminster, inform policy and let the people decide.”
A citizens’ assembly is a group of members of the public who come together to discuss policy issues.
Emergency police, fire and ambulance vehicles arrived at the scene shortly after the protest began at 12 noon.
Police officers stood around the protesters and had earlier led a chanting crowd out of the parliamentary estate.
A police helicopter was also seen flying over the building.
Image: An Extinction Rebellion activist demonstrates inside Parliament in London
Parliament is currently in its summer recess until Monday, when it will be confirmed whether Liz Truss or Rishi Sunak won the Tory leadership race.
A speech read by campaigners in the room said: “We are in crisis. And what happens in this room every day makes a joke of us all. We cannot afford to go on like this.
“It is possible to act on climate and cost in a way that is fair and supports everyone. But our political system is too outdated and outdated to look beyond the next election cycle and do what needs to be done. “
A House of Commons spokesman said: “We are aware of an incident on the Parliamentary Estate and are currently dealing with the situation as a matter of urgency.”
