Shameless M25 eco-warriors vow to shut motorway AGAIN ‘as soon as possible’ as they brag cops let them out to repeat it
THE shameless M25 eco-warriors have vowed to shut the motorway AGAIN “as soon as possible” as they claim cops let them out to repeat the stunt.
Dozens of the campaigners linked to Extinction Rebellion were detained by cops on Wednesday after plonking themselves in the middle of the the UK’s busiest motorway for a second time.
And The Sun Online understands the activists from Insulate Britain have pledged to stage a third protest on the M25 “as soon as possible”.
A source said the protesters who were arrested and taken into custody told police “it is their intention to go back and block the motorways”.
Some 89 campaigners brought traffic to a standstill for hours on Wednesday – two days after sparking travel chaos during a rush-hour blockade on Monday.
One mob blocked Junction 23 at South Mimms, Hertfordshire, while a second group shut down the main carriageway from Junction 8 at Reigate to Junction 9 at Leatherhead, both in Surrey.
Some even glued their hands to the road in the Dartford Crossing area at Junction 1A and 1B.
Police from Essex, Hertfordshire, Surrey and Kent arrested dozens of the climate change protesters after the widespread chaos.
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But it is understood the majority of campaigners have been released under investigation without bail conditions – despite telling the officers they were planning to stage another protest on the M25 “as soon as possible”.
“The protesters said they would go back to the motorway as soon as they possibly could,” the source said.
The campaigners each told the police: “I must be clear that if I am released from this police station, I intend to return to sit on a highway at the earliest opportunity and will repeat this until our government agrees to our demands.”
DOZENS OF ARRESTS
Surrey Police said 33 people were arrested during Wednesday’s protests.
“Of the 33 arrests, 12 were released under investigation. 21 were released on conditional bail,” the force told The Sun Online.
Meanwhile, Essex Police said nine people who were arrested on suspicion of highways obstruction have been released under investigation, while three other people have been released on bail until October 8.
And Hertfordshire Constabulary said 18 protesters have been released under investigation – but they have been slapped with Community Protection Notice Warnings.
Kent Police also arrested 21 activists on suspicion of obstructing Junctions 1A and 1B of the M25.
Detective Chief Superintendent Andrew Pritchard said: “They have since been released from custody while an appropriate course of action is determined.”
It comes after a four-vehicle smash on the M25 was blamed on the climate change protesters who blocked the carriageway.
A 50-year-old woman was airlifted to hospital in a serious condition after the crash at junction 9 for Leatherhead, Surrey.
Although cops said the investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing, one witness said it was “blatantly obvious” it was caused by the protest.
Steve Glenn, who was commuting to work clockwise on the M25, told The Telegraph: “The cars ploughed into the back of each other.
“It was so blatantly obvious what had happened. The standstill traffic was caused by the protest. One car was squashed into half its size.”
‘NO EVIDENCE’
But Insulate Britain hit back at the claims and said there was “no evidence” to suggest the crash was caused by the protests.
The group told The Sun Online: “Yesterday a woman was air-lifted off the M25 and our hearts are with her and her family.
“The accident happened at least 30 mins after the police had brought the road to a halt and it was 6 miles from the Insulate Britain protest.
“The M25 is the most dangerous road in the UK, with over 600 ‘incidents’ a year.
“There is currently no evidence to suggest the accident today was due to our protests. Surrey Police are still investigating this incident and we are waiting for their conclusions.”