Greenpeace: Government cuts ties with group after protest at PM’s home

Government departments should cut ties with Greenpeace in the wake of last week’s protest at Rishi Sunak’s house, No 10 has said.

Activists from the group scaled the prime minister’s home in his North Yorkshire constituency last Thursday during an anti-oil demonstration.

Five people were arrested by police and released on bail pending further inquiries.

The PM’s spokesman said engagement with the group was no longer “appropriate”.

“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,” he added.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) was no longer engaging with the group because of the stunt, the spokesman added.

“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,” he told reporters.

“But clearly given their actions and the arrests last week we don’t think it’s appropriate to engage with them.”

The most recent known meeting between Greenpeace and Defra took place between January and March this year, when the group met marine minister Richard Benyon to discuss fisheries policy, according to departmental data.

Departmental records show the group met ministers three times last year. Records beyond March 2023 are not yet available.

The energy security department cut ties with Greenpeace some months ago.

The department’s records, also available up to March 2023, do not show any meetings with Greenpeace this year. One meeting was registered last year, with then energy minister Greg Hands, to discuss energy security.

Greenpeace UK’s co-executive director, Will McCallum, said: “Burying your head in the sand isn’t going to make the climate crisis go away.

“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 advisors and the International Energy Agency, that we need to protest in the way that we do.

“The bunker mentality on display from this current government is deeply damaging – cutting ties with Greenpeace isn’t going to help.”

He claimed the public wanted to see “bold action” on climate and would make their views known at the next general election.

“We would like to invite any member of this government to discuss with us environmental policy and the need for urgent action,” he added.

Five people scaled Mr Sunak’s country house to protest against the government’s decision last week to grant 100 new North Sea oil and gas licences.

Activists covered the Grade II listed property in black sheeting, and unfurled a sign reading “No new oil”.

Two men and two women were arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage and public nuisance. A third man was also arrested on suspicion of causing a public nuisance.

Mr Sunak’s office confirmed neither the prime minister nor his family, who are currently on holiday in the US, were present at the time.

The prime minister purchased the house after becoming the MP for the rural Richmond constituency in 2015.