WHAT A COP OUT
COPS attempted to negotiate with eco-warriors Insulate Britain this morning with one officer offering them “another ten minutes”.
A mob of around 60 demonstrators brazenly stormed onto the M25 near London, the M56 in Manchester and the A4400 in Birmingham first thing this morning.
11
11
11
11
11
But officers in the West Midlands attempted to bargain with the protestors, telling them that they were “good people” that he didn’t want to lock up.
The cop was filmed saying: “I'm stopping people that I need to put in a cell, ie criminals, which are spaces that you're taking up, alright?
“You've done what you needed to do today, I'm happy for it to go on for like another ten minutes.
“But after that we don't want it to go on for another half hour, because you're not going to prove anything more than you've already proven.
“I don't want to put good people in a cell - I've seen that on the news, it's not good for anybody.
“So I'm asking you just to - if you're willing - just to work with me, because like I said you've got the children's hospital, you've got people that are dying, kids that are dying, people going for cancer therapies - surely you don't want them to be hurt by your actions when you're trying to raise awareness to a legitimate cause? “
Most read in The Sun
In London, a group of six demonstrators headed onto a roundabout near to junction 23.
But police were one step ahead of the mob, as cops swiftly intervened to stop the group while still on the pavement - where some had already glued their hands to the concrete.
The Sun last week exclusively revealed that the glue used by some protestors is made from a concoction of chemicals harmful to human health and the environment.
Today's mob were swiftly carted away by cops, with a Herts Police spokesperson stating: "Police were called at 7.45am today (Tuesday 2 November) to reports of protestors near junction 23 (Bignells Corner) of the M25.
"Officers are at the scene and working to resolve the disruption as quickly as possible. Several people have been arrested."
Nine demonstrators have received committal papers in relation to an injunction granted to National Highways to curb activist roadblocks.
Those who break the injunctions could be found in contempt of court and face a maximum penalty of two years in prison or an unlimited fine.
But after that we don't want it to go on for another half hour, because you're not going to prove anything more than you've already proven
West Midlands Police officer
The London protest has been cleared by cops - but traffic speeds have plunged to an average 7mph on the M25, Waze traffic data has revealed.
Meanwhile, junction 6 of the M56 in Manchester and the A4400 in Birmingham were both hit.
A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said: "We're currently responding to a protest on Wilmslow Road (A538), close to Manchester Airport.
"We're working at the scene to minimise disruption and we'll provide updates in due course.
"Delays are expected and we ask people travelling to avoid the area if possible."
A West Midlands Police spokesperson said cops are at the scene of the protestson Great Charles Street in Birmingham. The demonstrators have since been cleared.
Insulate Britain protester Gabby, 27, said: "We are taking our message to people outside of London because we want everyone to know that our government is killing our children.
"Britain should be leading the world with radical plans to decarbonise our society, instead our government is actively setting policies that will drive emissions higher.
ECO-ZEALOTS
"The public can close their eyes but this isn’t going away, no one is coming to save you. We are being betrayed. This government is colluding in genocide."
Jess, one of the protesters who was stopped by police, said they were unable to get onto the road today.
She told LBC: "Sadly, we didn't manage to make it onto the road. The police were here as we arrived, so we are now just sat here on the side of the road."
Asked what her plan was next, Jess replied: "This officer has arrested me already, I am sat here and he's holding me, so I'll just be here and then I will be arrested."
It comes after Insulate Britain launched a week of major chaos coinciding with the kids' half term break.
A protest last Wednesday saw a raging driver squirt INK in the faces of Insulate Britain eco-zealots as two mobs of protesters blocked traffic.
The raging commuter moved along a row of expressionless demonstrators while clutching a bottle full of blue liquid.
He squeezed it over their faces while shouting "it's ink" as the mob refused to budge.
And on Monday, one eco-idiot glued his own face to the road in a bizarre demonstration, before admitting: "It wasn't one of my better moves".
TRAFFIC CHAOS
Matthew Tulley opted to superglue his own head directly onto the tarmac close to Liverpool Street Station.
But, speaking as scissors were used to cut of his hair, Matthew admitted the bizarre move might not have been his brightest idea.
Speaking directly from one of the barricades, Matthew told how he wanted to take "extreme action".
He told the Mirror: "They had to cut my hair by my temple because my face was totally glued. But now I've worked most of that off. But my hair is still glued."
The group claimed the only way to tackle the issue is through a "wartime style national effort" involving "shared sacrifice".
Insulate Britain earlier promised to "suspend its campaign of civil resistance" until October 25.
11
11
11
In an open letter to Boris Johnson, the group quoted the PM's hero Winston Churchill before writing: "Insulate Britain would like to take this opportunity to profoundly acknowledge the disruption caused over the past five weeks.
"We cannot imagine undertaking such acts in normal circumstances.
"But the dire reality of our situation has to be faced."
Over a month after the first roadblocks brought chaos to the motorways, officials are set to ask judges to take action.
Ministers have reportedly been furious that police are arresting the zealots - before releasing them just hours later.
But final details are now being added to legal papers which could see faster justice for those who flout High Court injunctions not to block roads.
And Priti Patel has announced that police will be given the power to arrest repeat climate protesters before they glue themselves to the tarmac.
'HYPOCRITE'
The group has faced plenty of accusations about hypocrisy - and just days ago, Norton himself admitted he "doesn't care" about insulation.
The Sun exclusively revealed that Norton doesn't even insulate his own home.
And quizzed about his decision not to by talkRADIO presenter Cristo Foufas, Norton instantly replied: "Because I'm a hypocrite."
He then added: "I'm terrible aren't I."
Baffled by the response, Cristo pressed him further, asking: "Do you understand why people will think, well, this guy doesn't care about insulation, he only cares about causing disruption and trying to make a name for himself?"
"Yeah, they're right," Norton said.
"I don't particularly care about insulation."
11
11
We pay for your stories!
Do you have a story for The Sun news desk?
Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4104. You can WhatsApp us on 07423 720 250. We pay for videos too.
Click here to upload yours.
Read More on The Sun
Topics