Mr Goldsmith – who has been a non-executive board member at the Ministry of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs since 2018 – tweeted earlier this morning criticizing Labor’s call for precautionary measures against “Just Stop Oil” protests ( JSO), which have caused chaos at gas stations. “It’s not a good look from Labor,” he said. “Protesters are right to do whatever it takes to wake people up. The fossil fuel industry is dirty and dangerous. We need to break free from our addiction as soon as possible. I am with the Rebellion Uprising.” Hundreds of people have been detained since the JSO and its affiliated activists launched their operation on April 1 – with more than 350 arrested in Grace, Essex alone, amid allegations by police of “extremely dangerous” tactics by activists. Image: Ben Goldsmith Tweet Steve Reed, a shadowy Labor Justice Secretary, said: “This by a Conservative official is an insult to people facing misery trying to get to work. “While the government continues to refuse to act, the Labor Party has called for immediate action to end this unrest.” Mr Goldsmith’s tweet has now been deleted and he posted a new statement recalling his previous comments. “This morning I personally wrote on Twitter my sympathy for the Protesters of the Extermination. The support of the ER is neither a Conservative Environmental Network nor a DEFRA post. Therefore, I have revoked these tweets,” he said. “I recognize the disruption these protests are causing to people’s lives and livelihoods. I have always been publicly opposed to the controversial and often annoying methods used by Extinction Rebellion.” This is followed by an outcry from some Tory MPs in response to his original post. Chris Loder, a West Dorset lawmaker, accused Mr Goldsmith of “inappropriate political interference”, adding that “either he should resign and run for office or be fired. [Environment Secretary] George Eustice. “ In a WhatsApp group used by the Conservatives, Faye Jones, a member of parliament for Brecon and Radnorshire, said the statement was “unbelievable” given Goldsmith’s position as a non-executive board member. Former Cabinet Secretary Damian Green wrote, “He certainly can not stay after that.” Image: Protesters of the disappearance uprising at Lloyd’s headquarters in London Responding to Goldsmith’s tweet, a government source said: “Ben has expressed a personal view – not that of the government. People have a right to protest and the issue of climate change is very important – which is why we are taking such ambitious steps to face it “. “But, these XR protests are not peaceful protests – they are upsetting people’s lives and it is completely unacceptable. That is why the government is taking strong steps to stop them.” A spokesman for the Conservative Network also welcomed the recall, saying the group was “firmly opposed to the horrific tactics used by protesters who intend to wreak havoc”. Image: Protesters demand Lloyd’s of London stop insuring fossil fuel projects It comes as the Extinction Rebellion resumed its protests on Tuesday, blocking all entrances to Lloyds of London headquarters in the City of London, forcing staff to work elsewhere. The group said more than 60 activists had been in central London since 7am to prevent staff from entering the area in hopes of closing the business for the day. He added that he was demanding that Lloyd’s in London stop insuring fossil fuel projects. London Police said “has knowledge of protesters at Liverpool Street and Lloyd’s building in Lime Street” and that police officers have reached the point. On Sunday, activists blocked cars and buses from crossing the Vauxhall Bridge after a smaller group left the Lambeth Bridge earlier in the day. Image: The group said more than 60 activists had been in London’s main building since 7am The Metropolitan Police said they had imposed conditions under section 14 on the climate group at the junction of Millbank, Vauxhall Bridge Road and Grosvenor Road, as well as on the south side of the bridge and at the Vauxhall bus station.
