Demonstrators from Just Stop Oil brought central London traffic to a complete standstill outside Parliament on Wednesday afternoon during Andy Burnham’s first PMQs in post.
To send their message directly at the new Prime Minister, roughly 30 activists sat or lay across the carriageway near Parliament Square in Westminster.
The disruption forced buses to be taken out of service and left parked in the street, while police vans blocked the surrounding roads as officers descended on the scene shortly after midday and arrested several protesters.
Other demonstrators offered support from the sidelines, leaning over metal barriers as they held placards reading "no gas, no oil"; "for national security’s sake, just stop oil"; and "for kid’s sake, just stop oil".
Group spokesman Cameron Ford said the action was timed to coincide with Andy Burnham’s first PMQs as he was "deciding whether to have more oil and gas projects" and to send a clear message that "Just Stop Oil is back".
He told the Press Association: "We’re saying: stop putting fuel on the fire.
"We’ve all experienced crazy heat this summer and we don’t want it to get worse, so stop adding to the problem."
Asked for his view on comments made by Reform’s Richard Tice last month as he urged people to "enjoy" the warm weather and be less "doom and gloom", suggesting English sparkling wine production could benefit from the heat so the UK can "take on the French", Mr Ford noted that farmers were among those protesting.
"They are really struggling, fields are getting set on fire, crops are just dying.
"Tell Richard Tice to just do one," he said.
Mr Ford also criticised the Government’s text alert warning about wildfires and not using disposable barbecues, branding it "performative" and saying it "makes me feel like there’s no hope for this lot, actually (the current Government)".
The Metropolitan Police said: "Officers are currently on scene and continue to engage with a group of people, believed to be Just Stop Oil supporters.
"Specialist officers have been deployed, and some members of the group have been removed from the road.
"We are working closely with partners including TfL to reduce disruption in the area for Londoners."
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