'SHAMEFUL'
BORIS Johnson has today blasted the "profoundly disrespectful" Extinction Rebellion protesters who hijacked the Cenotaph on Remembrance Day.
The controversial group sparked anger among war veterans as their climate change banners were unveiled just hours before the official Armistice Day ceremony.
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Their banner read "Honour Their Sacrifice, Climate Change Means War" and was placed next to the iconic memorial in central London.
Former British soldier Donald Bell, 64, and mum-of-two NHS nurse Anne White, 53, led the protest.
The pair laid a wreath of poppies with the message "Act Now" written on it at 8am.
Cops removed the wreath from the Cenotaph 30 minutes later.
The PM's official spokesman said: "The Cenotaph is memorial to those who fought and died to preserve all our freedoms.
'DISRESPECTFUL'
"Today of all days, when we join together to pay tribute to our war dead, this action was profoundly disrespectful."
Their protest also sparked fury among the British public, with people branding the eco-warriors "scum".
Scotland Yard commissioner Cressida Dick has now announced an urgent review into how the protesters were able to drape their banner today.
It came as homes across the UK fell silent in remembrance of the nation's war dead on Armistice Day with the pandemic limiting public commemorations.
Millions of people were told to pause on their doorstops and not to gather at the Cenotaph - but the brazen eco-warriors ignored the pleas.
Victoria Cross holder Johnson Beharry slammed protesters for disrespecting his fallen comrades.
PROTEST SPARKS FURY
The war hero told The Sun: "Today of all days? It is the 11th of the 11th. It is Remembrance Day. They are really disrespecting our fallen.
"If we hadn't sacrificed our lives they would not be able to go and protest today. They should remember that."
Colour Sgt Beharry was on his way to Westminster Abbey for a special service to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the burial of the Unknown Warrior.
The remains of a British soldier were brought back from the Western Front two years after the end of the war to represent the half a million soldiers who were lost or unidentified at the end of World War One.
He told The Sun: "There is a time and a place for everything. Yes, they have a campaign and a reason to protest.
Today of all days? It is the 11th of the 11th. It is Remembrance Day. They are really disrespecting our fallen."
War hero Johnson Beharry
"But I would not have chosen a day like today, which is actually Remembrance Day to disrespect our fallen like that."
Major General Richard Barrons, a former joint chief of the armed forces, urged the protesters to respect the military's sacrifice.
He said: "It is a good thing if organisations like Extinction Rebellion recognise the sacrifice made over centuries by our armed forces.
"But if they have done it in a way that is disrespectful for the many people for whom this is a vital act of remembrance then I think they have made a mistake."
Others slammed the group online. One person wrote: "Truly shameful: Extinction Rebellion have placed a ‘climate change means war’ wreath upon the Cenotaph.
Do you know the protesters? Email [email protected] or call 02077824368
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"These privileged prats seem to be doing all they can to turn public opinion against them."
Another person added: "There is a place and a time....and THIS ISN'T IT.
"Were it not for those who fought & died....these self righteous 'woke' extinction rebellion lot wouldn't even see light or day!
"IT'S THAT SIMPLE! Hence....'NO RESPECT'."
Another person wrote: "Extinction Rebellion really know how to lose support for their cause.
"Their members are now designated to the rank of scum. They need a new PR representative."
There is a place and a time....and THIS ISN'T IT."
Protest sparks fury online
Another added: "Can you think of more insult to the nation & to the sacrifices of the dead than the action by those spoilt brats?"
British Army veteran and Extinction Rebellion member, Mr Bell, held a two-minute silence before hanging the wreath.
Private Bell, 64, completed four tours in Northern Ireland during The Troubles, and wanted to warn that a global climate crisis could lead to more armed conflicts.
He said: "I took action today knowing that I would be criticised.
"I knew that I would be accused of being disrespectful and hated by many for speaking out in this way.
"Remembrance Day is never an easy time for veterans and this was not an easy decision for me to make
I knew that I would be accused of being disrespectful and hated by many for speaking out in this way."
Army veteran Donald Bell
"This Government's own climate advisers, the committee on climate change, said last year that they have a 'Dad's Army' approach to protecting British people from the impacts of climate change.
"Their report in June this year showed that the Government has failed to meet all but two of the 31 milestones it set itself for reducing emissions
"This Government is criminally negligent and young people today will pay the price for their failure."
He told : "Many of the people who attend the Remembrance Day Service have never seen the horrors of war. I hope they never have to.
"However you feel about the action today, I want people to take this message - if we don't deal with this climate emergency, now, it will lead to war."
Private Bell, who was badly injured in a car bomb blast in 1974, knew that his action would be criticised - but went ahead with it anyway.
'MOST HATED'
He added: "Unchecked climate change means a return to a world at war. I cannot stand by and let that happen. It is my duty to act.
"I am going to be one of the most hated veterans on the planet for some time.
"At previous protests I had people telling me I should be ashamed to wear my uniform."
A Met Police spokesman told The Sun: "The MPS are aware of a protest at the Cenotaph on Whitehall which occurred at approximately 8am on 11 November. During this, a banner was put up by demonstrators.
"This banner was removed by officers as soon as they became aware of it, within approximately half an hour of it being erected.
COPS REMOVE BANNER
"Officers are investigating any breaches of the regulations designed to prevent further spread of Coronavirus.
"A policing plan is in place throughout London for events to mark Armistice Day."
In September, Extinction Rebellion activists were arrested after the Winston Churchill statue was defaced.
It came after the historic memorial outside Parliament was targeted twice in as many days during the Black Lives Matter protests in June.
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London Mayor Sadiq Khan said: "This appalling vandalism is completely unacceptable.
"It will be fully investigated and the statue will be cleaned as quickly as possible."
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British Armed Forces veteran Donald Bell explains why he took part in Extinction Rebellion's hijack protest at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Day
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