By Ben Kerrigan-
Climate activists have glued themselves together around the Speaker’s chair in the House of Commons. The protestors, from Extinction Rebellion UK, were on a guided tour of Parliament when they took the action, a spokeswoman said.
The campaign group tweeted a photo depicting three women standing hand in hand in front of the green leather chair where the Speaker sits when parliament is in session. Two men stood either side holding banners.
One read “Let the people decide” and the other said “Citizens’ assembly now”.
MPs are currently on their summer break, and are due to return next week.
The protesters read out a speech demanding a “citizens’ assembly” on climate issues, the group said.
Other demonstrators were pictured draping banners outside Parliament.
Extinction Rebellion protesters padlock their necks to the railings, outside the Houses of Parliament
The campaign group said around 50 of its supporters “took non-violent action” demanding a citizens’ assembly to discuss the climate crisis.
Five protesters were pictured in the Commons chamber, with some holding signs which read “let the people decide” and “citizens’ assembly now”.
They are understood to have entered the building after booking an official tour, before breaking away from the group to stage the protest.
Extinction Rebellion protesters demonstrating on scaffolding, erected for renovation work, outside the Houses of Parliament
One demonstrator told the PA news agency that activists had smuggled banners into the Commons in a “bag within a bag”.
A House of Commons spokesperson said: “We are aware of an incident on the Parliamentary Estate and are currently dealing with the situation as a matter of urgency”.