Parliament rooftop protest ends

Advertisement

Aerial footage of the protest

A climate change protest on the roof of Parliament has ended.

More than 30 Greenpeace activists spent the night on top of the Palace of Westminster, as MPs returned from their summer break.

They unfurled yellow banners proclaiming the message: "Change the politics, save the climate."

The Metropolitan Police said all the protesters had come down from the roof. Nineteen arrests were made and it is thought more could follow.

Greenpeace said all 31 volunteers who spent nearly 28 hours on the roof had been taken into police custody.

'Real leadership'

Executive director John Sauven said: "This direct action has been an amazing success, but the work has only just begun.

"With our MPs back from the summer break and the UN climate conference in Copenhagen just around the corner, it's time to see some real leadership from our elected politicians."

A Department for Energy and Climate Change spokeswoman said: "Public demonstration to highlight the need for action on climate change by all within society is welcome, but it must be conducted in a way that respects the rule of law.

Security in Parliament was increased in 2004 after some high-profile breaches but questions have continued to be raised about protection levels.

Last year, activists from Plane Stupid occupied the roof for three hours in protest against Heathrow expansion, resulting in five activists being found guilty of trespass.

Incidents in 2004 included a group of campaigners from Greenpeace scaling Big Ben's clock tower.

Pro-hunt protesters stormed the Commons chamber in the same year, while campaigners from Fathers 4 Justice threw purple powder at Tony Blair during prime minister's question time.