Government departments ought to reduce ties with Greenpeace following the charity’s protest at Rishi Sunak’s empty mansion final week, Downing Street mentioned.
The prime minister’s official spokesperson mentioned the organisation shouldn’t be given a “seat at the table” in Whitehall discussions of climate-related points following the anti-oil stunt.
However, Greenpeace campaigners hit again accusing the federal government of a “bunker mentality” and saying it’s as a result of ministers have “shut the door” on civil society teams that they protest the way in which they do.
Five individuals had been arrested and subsequently launched on bail after scaling the roof of Mr Sunak’s Yorkshire manor and draping it in a black-oil material whereas he was on vacation along with his household final Thursday.
Pic: Greenpeace
MPs strongly condemned the breach of the PM’s safety, and it was reported the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) had been ordered to stop engagement with Greenpeace till additional discover.
DEFRA wouldn’t touch upon the stories on the time however Downing Street has now confirmed that is the case.
The PM’s spokesperson mentioned communication with the group was not “appropriate” and all authorities departments ought to reduce ties with Greenpeace.
He instructed journalists: “Certainly we obviously don’t think that people who are accused of breaking the law should have a seat at the table in discussions with government.
“My understanding is that DEFRA aren’t partaking with Greenpeace due to these actions.
“I don’t think it’s unusual for DEFRA or other agencies to engage with climate action groups – that’s taken place for a number of years.
“But clearly given their actions and the arrests final week we do not suppose it is applicable to have interaction with them.”
The Greenpeace protest was over plans to grant more than 100 new licences for oil and gas extraction in the North Sea.
The activists draped an oil-black fabric from the roof, staying there from about 8am to 1.15pm when they were arrested and later bailed amid an ongoing investigation by North Yorkshire Police.
Labour and Tory MPs criticised the targeting of the PM’s private home but Greenpeace called it a “proportionate response to a disastrous determination” to grant new licences.
Cutting ties with Greenpeace ‘deeply damaging’
The group remained defiant following the choice by Downing Street to chop ties.
Greenpeace co-director Will McCallum mentioned the charity represents the views of tens of millions of supporters so has “a mandate to hold the government to account”.
“Burying your head in the sand isn’t going to make the climate crisis go away,” he mentioned.
“It’s precisely because the government has effectively shut the door to civil society groups, like Greenpeace, as well as ignoring warnings from the UN, its own advisers and the International Energy Agency, that we need to protest in the way that we do.
“The bunker mentality on show from this present authorities is deeply damaging – chopping ties with Greenpeace is not going to assist.”
Content Source: information.sky.com