Watford’s MP says that he cannot condone the “harmful and unruly” actions seen by M25 protesters over the past week.

Today marked the fifth M25 protest by Insulate Britain, a group of climate protesters who blocked access to the motorway and caused disruption.

Although the most recent protest was near Junction 10, in Cobham, Surrey, other protests seen last week and this week were more close to the Watford area.

There were reports that this caused disruption to people needing vital hospital treatment, and others who were delayed from attending their jobs.

Now Watford MP Dean Russell has blasted disruptive protesters, stating that while he agrees the climate crisis should be addressed, this is not the way to do it.

He said: “The disruption these protestors are creating is certainly not helping their cause.

“They have caused havoc for people to get to work and earn a living, blocked vehicles carrying vital supplies, caused people to miss important hospital appointments and forced drivers to keep their engines running for longer which certainly won’t have helped the environment.

“It seems their tactics are not gaining much public support and whilst we must uphold people’s right to protest, I cannot condone their harmful and unruly actions.”

 

Paint on a slip road at Junction 18 of the M25, near Rickmansworth (image PA)

Paint on a slip road at Junction 18 of the M25, near Rickmansworth (image PA)

 

The MP explained that “forcing drivers to keep their engines idling” on one of the UK’s busiest motorways “is not the right approach”.

Addressing allegations on a ‘passive’ police approach in dealing with the protesters, he added: “I know that the police have had a challenge on their hands with some protesters gluing themselves to the tarmac, and they have a responsibility to keep people safe.

“I welcome that several arrests have been made and that the Home Secretary has ordered police to take decisive action.”

Read more - Police have 'robust plans' to deal with Insulate Britain protesters

Surrey Police’s chief inspector has warned protesters that their tactics are likely to cause “serious injury or death” after seeing the blockage in Cobham today.

Chief inspector Mike Hodder and chief superintendent Jerry Westerman told a press briefing that protesters charging into motorway traffic were putting drivers at a “very high” risk of death, but admitted police powers to charge the majority were “pretty limited”.

The pair spoke at a press briefing after the force arrested 38 activists who targeted junctions 9 and 10 of the M25 this morning.

Chief Superintendent Westerman said: “The type of protest being carried out now is unreasonable, it’s unsafe and if it happens it will be dealt with robustly and it will be prosecuted with the full weight of the law.”