LONDON: Greenpeace activists on Wednesday (Jul 24) briefly blocked incoming British prime minister Boris Johnson's convoy as it made its way to Buckingham Palace, urging him to take action on climate change.

Activists wearing sashes reading "Climate Emergency" linked arms across The Mall, the road that leads to Queen Elizabeth II's London residence, where Johnson was heading to be confirmed as prime minister.

Police quickly bundled the protesters to the side of the road, but they were also able to unfurl a banner reading "Climate Emergency" in front of Johnson's car.

Greenpeace UK Executive Director John Sauven also attempted to hand Johnson the group's climate manifesto.

"Climate change needs to be front and centre of this new administration from day one," Sauven said in a statement issued after the protest.

"We can't blunder and bluster our way out of this emergency. Boris Johnson must get to grips with the climate emergency or be remembered as the prime minister who jeopardised our children's future". </s> • Johnson traveled to the Palace to be anointed prime minister by the Queen.
• However, activists formed a human chain which briefly stopped his car.
• Police intervened to break up the protest.

A group of protesters formed a human chain in front of the car taking Boris Johnson to Buckingham Palace.

Protesters in red t-shirts held hands and stood across the Mall – the road leading to the Palace – as Johnson was making his way to meet the Queen and be anointed as the next prime minister of the United Kingdom.

Climate change-fighting group Greenpeace has claimed responsibility for the stunt.

Police quickly intervened to break up the protest and allow Johnson’s car to continue to the Palace.

Johnson succeeded Theresa May as prime minister on Wednesday after winning the Conservative party leadership contest. He comfortably defeated rival Jeremy Hunt, winning 66% of votes cast by party members. </s> A British government minister has been suspended after he was caught on video pushing a female Greenpeace activist, then grabbing her by the neck and marching her out of a banquet in London. Dozens of climate-change protesters gatecrashed a speech from Chancellor Philip Hammond on Thursday and refused to leave. Mark Field took it upon himself to grab one of the female activists and Greenpeace has now accused him of assault. “I deeply regret this episode and unreservedly apologize to the lady concerned for grabbing her,” said the lawmaker, saying he feared she may have been “armed.” Greenpeace climate campaigner Areeba Hamid told the BBC the unnamed activist was “in shock” over the incident, and said it was “quite ludicrous” for Field to suggest that she might have had a weapon. Prime Minister Theresa May said the footage was “very concerning” and suspended Field from his ministerial duties. </s> A minister has been suspended after he was filmed manhandling a Greenpeace protester at a dinner at Mansion House last night.

The Prime Minister’s Spokesman confirmed that he would be suspended while investigations take place into the incident.

The Foreign Office minister came in for criticism after he physically removed a climate change protester identified this morning as Janet Barker.

Several protesters interrupted the black-tie event as Chancellor Philip Hammond gave a speech.

Mrs Barker revealed that ‘[staff] at the venue did not ask them for any identification documents before allowing them in.

‘More than 40 people tried to get in but a few were locked out when the security staff realised what was happening.

‘The men in the group were accepted as guests but the women were later challenged as to why they were there.’

Mrs Barker, a rabbit wool knitter and support worker who lives in rural Wales according to MailOnlinesaid that she expected some resistance but ‘not being pushed against a pillar and being held at the back of the neck.’

Her husband added on Facebook: ‘All fine, she’s taking down the government one Tory at a time.’

Mr Field referred himself to the Cabinet Office for investigation and apologised ‘unreservedly’ to the protester.

He said: ‘In the confusion many guests understandably felt threatened and when one protester rushed past me towards the top table I instinctively reacted.

‘There was no security present and I was for a split-second genuinely worried she might have been armed.

‘As a result I grasped the intruder firmly in order to remove her from the room as swiftly as possible.’

A Number 10 spokeswoman said: ‘The Prime Minister has seen the footage and she found it very concerning.

‘The police have said they are looking into reports over this matter and Mark Field has also referred himself to both the Cabinet Office and the Conservative Party.

‘He will be suspended as a minister while investigations take place.’

During the dinner, dozens of Greenpeace activists sought to draw attention to the climate crisis.

A group of protesters, mostly wearing red and wearing sashes with the words ‘climate emergency’, tried to ‘drown out’ Hammond.

Greenpeace UK said: Instead of assaulting peaceful women protesters, Mark Field would be better off spending his time tackling the climate emergency.’

They tweeted: ‘Update on Greenpeace activist at the Mansion house peaceful protest: She’s had a good sleep and is doing fine. We’re looking after her. Thanks so much for your love and concern everyone. We’re sharing positive messages with her.’

MPs responded with shock to the footage.

Dawn Butler MP tweeted: ‘I’m sure I’m not the only one who is wondering why no one intervened. So much violence does not seem justified. An investigation needs to take place as soon as possible.’

However, Johnny Mercer MP said: ‘Honestly? Try being in our shoes in the current environment. He panicked, he’s not trained in restraint and arrest, and if you think this is ‘serious violence’, you may need to recalibrate your sensitivities. Calm down, move on, and be thankful this wasn’t worse.’ </s> Boris Johnson's car came to a halt as it travelled towards Buckingham Palace on Wednesday as a group of protesters dressed in red rushed to the street to block him. A group of seven climate change activists linked arms on The Mall as the car in which the Prime Minister-elect was driving in headed toward the royal residence. A police officer on a motorbike, riding to escort the new Tory leader, quickly jumped off his vehicle to barge into three of the protesters and push them onto the pavement.

LBC’s Political Editor Theo Usherwood wrote on Twitter: “Extraordinary scenes on the Mall. Climate change protesters manage to get worryingly close to Boris Johnson’s car. Police outriders barge them out the way. His car safely makes it to Buckingham Palace. Expect much tighter security for journey to Downing Street.” Sky News’ Beth Rigby wrote: “Climate protesters tried to form a human chain across the mall to stop Johnson’s entry to palace. Police outriders having none of it”. The former foreign secretary secured more than two-thirds of the votes in the Conservative Party leadership contest and will put together his cabinet as he prepares for Government. LISTEN HERE: Latest Brexit news from the Express.co.uk Final Countdown podcast

Mr Johnson secured 92,153 votes - 66.4 percent - to defeat Mr Hunt, who was backed by 46,656 Tory members. Speaking after the result on Tuesday, the new Tory leader used his victory speech to promise he will "energise the country" and meet the October 31 Brexit deadline with a "new spirit of can-do". He added: “I know that there will be people around the place who will question the wisdom of your decision. And there may even be some people here who still wonder quite what they have done. "I would just point out to you of course nobody, no one party, no one person has a monopoly of wisdom. Boris meets Queen as her 14th PM -May quits and Remainers flee Cabinet [LIVE]

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“But if you look at the history of the last 200 years of this party's existence you will see that it is we Conservatives who have had the best insights, I think, into human nature." Theresa May was given a standing ovation at the end of her final PMQs session on Wednesday afternoon by her own backbenches and some other MPs in the Commons. During her final speech at Downing Street, Mrs May insisted it had been “the greatest honour” to serve her country. She added: “This is a country of aspiration and opportunity, and I hope that every young girl who has seen a woman prime minister now knows there are no limits to what she can achieve."

The former Prime Minister also had to contend with some interruptions during her speech, as one protester cut in shouting “stop Brexit.” Mrs May however did not let the shouting stop her as she hit back: “I think the answer too that is – I think not.” Her departure from Number 10 was accompanied by Chancellor Philip Hammond’s resignation who had announced last week he would not be serving in the Cabinet under the leadership of Boris Johnson. In his resignation letter to Theresa May, he sent a pointed message to her successor, warning the headroom built up in the public finances can only be used for tax cuts and spending boosts if a Brexit deal is secured. Mr Hammond said: ”We bequeath to our successors genuine choices, once a Brexit deal is done: the ability to choose, within the fiscal rules, between increased public spending, reduced taxes, higher investment or progress towards faster debt reduction - or some combination of all four. "After a decade when the aftermath of the 2008-09 recession meant we had no choices, this is a luxury which our successors should use wisely." </s> A minister has been suspended after he was filmed manhandling a Greenpeace protester at a dinner at Mansion House last night.

The Prime Minister’s Spokesman confirmed that he would be suspended while investigations take place into the incident.

The Foreign Office minister came in for criticism after he physically removed a climate change protester from a dinner.

Several protesters interrupted the black-tie event as Chancellor Philip Hammond gave a speech.

Mr Field referred himself to the Cabinet Office for investigation and apologised ‘unreservedly’ to the protester.

He said: ‘In the confusion many guests understandably felt threatened and when one protester rushed past me towards the top table I instinctively reacted.

‘There was no security present and I was for a split-second genuinely worried she might have been armed.

‘As a result I grasped the intruder firmly in order to remove her from the room as swiftly as possible.’

A Number 10 spokeswoman said: ‘The Prime Minister has seen the footage and she found it very concerning.

‘The police have said they are looking into reports over this matter and Mark Field has also referred himself to both the Cabinet Office and the Conservative Party.

‘He will be suspended as a minister while investigations take place.’

During the dinner, dozens of Greenpeace activists sought to draw attention to the climate crisis.

A group of protesters, mostly wearing red and wearing sashes with the words ‘climate emergency’, tried to ‘drown out’ Hammond.

Greenpeace UK said: Instead of assaulting peaceful women protesters, Mark Field would be better off spending his time tackling the climate emergency.’

They tweeted: ‘Update on Greenpeace activist at the Mansion house peaceful protest: She’s had a good sleep and is doing fine. We’re looking after her. Thanks so much for your love and concern everyone. We’re sharing positive messages with her.’

MPs responded with shock to the footage.

Dawn Butler MP tweeted: ‘I’m sure I’m not the only one who is wondering why no one intervened. So much violence does not seem justified. An investigation needs to take place as soon as possible.’

However, Johnny Mercer MP said: ‘Honestly? Try being in our shoes in the current environment. He panicked, he’s not trained in restraint and arrest, and if you think this is ‘serious violence’, you may need to recalibrate your sensitivities. Calm down, move on, and be thankful this wasn’t worse.’ </s> Greenpeace accused British minister Mark Field of assault after the Conservative politician was filmed physically removing a climate change protester from a dinner in the City of London.



Field accosted the female activist as she walked towards finance minister Phillip Hammond, pushing her against a column at Mansion House before holding her by the neck and frogmarching her out of the room.

Greenpeace activist Areeba Hamid said she was "shocked at the footage of an elected MP and government minister assaulting one of our peaceful protesters."

Field told ITV that he "deeply" regretted his actions, saying that "in the confusion many guests understandably felt threatened and when one protester rushed past me towards the top table.

"There was no security present and I was for a split-second genuinely worried she might have been armed."

The junior Foreign Office minister has referred himself to the Cabinet Office for investigation.



Labour MP Jess Phillips called the footage "so, so awful" while fellow Labour MP Dawn Butler said it was "horrific" and called for Field to be sacked or suspended.

But Tory MP Peter Bottomley argued that "the woman clearly was trying to create a fuss" and that "most viewers would say it´s good that she didn´t succeed."

Greenpeace later said 40 of its activists had interrupted the event. </s> LONDON: A British minister was suspended on Friday after he was filmed physically removing a climate change protester from a dinner in London.

Mark Field accosted the female activist as she walked towards finance minister Phillip Hammond, pushing her against a column before frogmarching her out of the room.

Prime Minister Theresa May's office said it had suspended the junior Foreign Office minister. "The prime minister has seen the footage and she found it very concerning," Downing Street said.

"He will be suspended as a minister while investigations take place." Police said they were following up on a "small number" reports of an assault.

Greenpeace activist Areeba Hamid said she was "shocked at the footage of an elected MP and government minister assaulting one of our peaceful protesters".

Field told ITV that he "deeply" regretted his actions, saying that "in the confusion many guests understandably felt threatened and when one protester rushed past me towards the top table".

"There was no security present and I was for a split-second genuinely worried she might have been armed."

The Conservative politician has referred himself to the Cabinet Office for investigation. London Mayor Sadiq Khan called Field's actions "unacceptable" and urged him to "consider his position".

Labour MP Jess Phillips called the footage "so, so awful" while fellow Labour MP Dawn Butler said it was "horrific" and called for Field to be sacked or suspended.

But Tory MP Peter Bottomley argued that "the woman clearly was trying to create a fuss" and that "most viewers would say it's good that she didn't succeed". Greenpeace said 40 of its activists had interrupted the event. </s> Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption Greenpeace activist says Mark Field actions 'over the top'

Mark Field has been suspended as a Foreign Office minister after grabbing a female Greenpeace activist at a black-tie City dinner.

The MP has apologised for confronting Janet Barker and marching her away as protesters interrupted a speech by Chancellor Philip Hammond.

Ms Barker suggested Mr Field "go to anger management classes" but said she did not intend to complain to police.

Mr Field said he had been "genuinely worried" she may have been armed.

BBC home affairs correspondent Daniel Sandford said there were also "very serious questions to be asked" about security, as a "large number" of protesters had apparently managed to "walk through" to the event at London's Mansion House.

Footage of the incident involving Mr Field has been widely shared on social media, with several Labour politicians calling for him to be sacked.

A Downing Street spokeswoman said Prime Minister Theresa May had "seen the footage" and "found it very concerning".

She added that Mr Field had "referred himself to both the Cabinet Office and the Conservative Party. He will be suspended as a minister while investigations take place."

Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption Climate change protesters interrupt Chancellor Philip Hammond's speech

Climate change protesters - wearing suits, red dresses and sashes with "climate emergency" written on them - entered Mansion House on Thursday night, as Mr Hammond was beginning his speech on the state of the economy.

One of them began reading an alternative speech.

As Ms Barker walked past his table, Mr Field stood up, stopped her and pushed her against a column.

The Conservative MP for the Cities of London and Westminster then put a hand on the back of her neck and led her out of the room.

'We were polite'

Ms Barker told the BBC the purpose of the protest had been to speak to "men who are in power, the bankers, the investors that are continuing to invest into fossil fuels".

"We were polite with people and said: 'We're here to deliver a message'," she said.

City of London Police said they were looking into "a number of third-party reports of a possible assault".

"He certainly manhandled me in a way in which was very disagreeable," she said.

Asked if she felt Mr Field's actions amounted to criminal assault, Ms Barker said: "No, I don't think so. I don't want this to turn into a mud-slinging match."

The activist, who travelled from her home in Wales to take part in Thursday's protest, said: "350 people were there and only one person reacted that way.

"It's more the behaviour of that individual. I want him to reflect on what he did and not do it again. Maybe he should go to anger management classes."

Image caption Protesters dressed in black tie and red dresses crowded into the building

Image caption The City of London Corporation is to review security after protesters walked into Mansion House

Image copyright PA Image caption Chancellor Philip Hammond eventually completed his speech

Before his suspension, Mr Field told ITV News that guests had "understandably felt threatened" and he had "instinctively reacted" when Ms Barker rushed past.

"There was no security present and I was, for a split second, genuinely worried she might have been armed," Mr Field said.

He added: "I deeply regret this episode and unreservedly apologise to the lady concerned for grabbing her, but in the current climate I felt the need to act decisively to close down the threat to the safety of those present."

'Over-reaction'

Labour's shadow women and equalities minister Dawn Butler tweeted: "This is horrific... [Mark Field] must immediately be suspended or sacked."

But Mr Field was defended by some of his colleagues, with Conservative MP Johnny Mercer tweeting: "He panicked, he's not trained in restraint and arrest, and if you think this is 'serious violence' you may need to recalibrate your sensitivities."

Another Conservative MP, Bob Stewart, told BBC Radio 4's World at One that Mr Field had "probably" placed his hand on Ms Barker's neck because if he had "touched her anywhere else he'd probably have been deemed highly inappropriate".

Conservative leadership contender Jeremy Hunt, who, as Foreign Secretary, is Mr Field's boss, said: "Mark has issued a full and unreserved apology. He recognised that what happened was an over-reaction.

"In his interest and in the interest of the lady involved we need a proper [Cabinet Office] inquiry and that's what going to happen."

The City of London Corporation said it was investigating how security had been breached at Mansion House, adding it would be "reviewing arrangements for future events".
Greenpeace protesters block The Mall, the drive to Buckingham Palace, holding up Prime Minister-designate Boris Johnson on his way to visit the Queen.