The HS2-protesting daughter of an eccentric laird holed up in a tunnel under Euston Station hates being dubbed ‘Britain’s Greta Thunberg’.
Blue Sandford, 18, has become the public face of the underground protest against the proposed high-speed rail line.
She and her fellow protesters have spent the past five days 15ft under the capital’s streets as bailiffs try to evict them.
Blue, whose wealthy father Roc lives off-grid on a Scottish island, has accused the bailiffs of risking their lives by removing drainage systems.
But the defiant teenager is still refusing to leave the tunnels - saying she is more terrified of climate change.
Blue, who is ‘on strike’ from her studies at her £20,000-a-year school, told the Mail on Sunday she hates the comparison to Greta Thunberg.
She said: “It’s really strange being right at the centre of this huge thing but I can't just sit at home.
“I am really terrified of the climate change disaster we are facing and I don't know what else to do to change things.
“HS2 is incredibly damaging and despite the Government declaring a climate emergency they are not following through on it at all.”
She accused bailiffs of “dirty tricks” - something they deny - but said she and her fellow protesters remain “in good health”.
“It’s been cold since the eviction team brought in a huge compressor and sent a hose down blasting air along the tunnels,” added Blue.
“We've got lots of sleeping bags, though, and we're taking it in shifts,
with some sleeping, others awake having some food.
“We have enough stores to last six weeks. I'm surviving on rice and tins of jackfruit, as well as pastries and other stuff collected from skips.”
Her dad Roc, a environmental activist, defended his daughter’s actions and the green campaigning carried out by his other children.
“They have completely outclassed me in their protests, which proves it isn't coming from me,” he said.
“I am always begging them to be careful. I sometimes feel like I’m going to collapse with fear, but I am also so proud of what they are achieving.
“I’m a parent, not an eco-warrior, and I am terrified of the future we are cooking up for our children.
“I have been going through a really dark and miserable place knowing I could lose them.”
The government claims HS2 - which is set to link London, Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds - will lower carbon emissions.
But protesters say the lines will destroy or irreparably damage 108 ancient woodlands and 693 wildlife sites.
They also claim Euston Square Gardens will be built over by a temporary taxi rank before being sold to developers.
An HS2 spokesman denied claims bailiffs are flooding the tunnel system to remove the protesters.
“We are pumping air so that the protesters can breathe. The activists have dug a crude and poorly constructed tunnel.
“Further heavy rain and sleet is forecast, which could lead to the tunnel becoming even more unstable.
“We are concerned the occupants of the tunnel are now impeding efforts to help them.
“These activists have had multiple opportunities to remove themselves from the danger.
“For their own safety and the safety of our staff and the emergency service personnel at Euston, we urge them to get out of the tunnel.”
