Environmental campaigners Extinction Rebellion (XR) have announced they have abandoned the notion of disrupting Heathrow Airport using drones.
The UK branch of the environmental advocacy group released an official statement on Friday saying they do not support action at the airport “as designed at this time”.
But, the activists said if action still goes ahead, it will be independent of the Extinction Rebellion UK group.
“It is clear that people in the movement have had different views around this proposed action and that tension has arisen from figuring out the most effective way to tell the truth about the Climate and Ecological Emergency we face – so that we can all act now,” the statement said.
“Therefore, Extinction Rebellion UK neither condones nor condemns the action and will not be supporting it in any way.
“Those that choose to become involved do so as individuals just as they can become involved in other social movements and networks separate to Extinction Rebellion.”
The group said a number of agreements have been put in place between the group and those involved with the action.
They included that any plans are made clear not to be associated with XR and no XR resources will be provided to help organise the action.
A police spokeswoman had previously said that anyone caught illegally using a drone within the vicinity of the airport can “expect to be dealt with in line with the law”.
XR co-founder Gail Bradbook told a demonstration at Bristol Bridge she wants members of the group to fly toy drones to the edge of the airport's exclusion zone.
She did not give a date for the disruption but said it will be "preannounced".
