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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Politics
Dan Bloom & Oliver Milne

Naked environmental protesters flood House of Commons as MPs debate Brexit

The House of Commons public gallery was taken over tonight by topless protesters covered in slogans about saving the environment.

12 protesters paraded in the gallery and pressed their mostly bare buttocks against security glass separating them from MPs debating Brexit.

Many glued their hands to the toughened screen in attempt to highlight the issue of climate change.

The activists were from the group Extinction Rebellion who take part in environmental activism by direct action.

It came as MPs debate a series of "indicative votes" on Britain's Brexit future.

One man with “stop wasting time” scrawled on his chest was carried out forcibly by two police officers while Tory Nick Boles talks about an emergency brake on free movement.

'Parliament just got a little bit more nuts!' tweeted James Heappey MP tweeted (James Heappey MP / Twitter)

Officers have begun removed the protesters - starting with a woman dressed as an elephant.

The campaigners had slogans scrawled across their bodies including "climate justice act now", "eco collapse" and "stop wasting time".

In a statement the group said they were doing it because climate change was being "flagrantly and recklessly ignored by our government and media".

Activist Mark Øvland, 35, said: By undressing in parliament, we are putting ourselves in an incredibly vulnerable position, highlighting the vulnerability that all of us share in the face of environmental and societal breakdown. There is an elephant in the room and it is demanding attention."  

Iggy Fox, 24, a wildlife biologist said: "I'm tired of the time and resources our government wastes rearranging the deckchairs on the Brexitanic. I want a future, and right now they are burning it like there's no tomorrow.

Former Labour leader Ed Miliband got an eyeful (BBC)
(BBC)

It is proving distracting for some MPs and Commons security who now need to deal with the intrusion by the activists.

Speaking in favour of his proposal Peter Kyle MP was caught out by the sight.

"The bottom line is.." Peter Kyle MP said to laughter from across the house.

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