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Protesters scale Parliament roof | Protesters scale Parliament roof |
(10 minutes later) | |
Anti-Heathrow expansion protesters have climbed on to the roof of the Houses of Parliament next to Big Ben. | Anti-Heathrow expansion protesters have climbed on to the roof of the Houses of Parliament next to Big Ben. |
The six campaigners unfurled banners, including one saying "No 3rd runway at Heathrow", and threw paper planes. | The six campaigners unfurled banners, including one saying "No 3rd runway at Heathrow", and threw paper planes. |
The protesters said they had got to the roof via a fire escape. Police said there was a "strong possibility" they were guests of security pass holders. | The protesters said they had got to the roof via a fire escape. Police said there was a "strong possibility" they were guests of security pass holders. |
Gordon Brown's spokesman said the security breach was a "matter for the parliamentary authorities". | Gordon Brown's spokesman said the security breach was a "matter for the parliamentary authorities". |
Waving | Waving |
One of the group, who said he was called Richard George, told the BBC he intended to continue the protest until at least prime minister's questions at noon. | One of the group, who said he was called Richard George, told the BBC he intended to continue the protest until at least prime minister's questions at noon. |
The incident comes two days after a similar protest when banners were draped over a plane at Heathrow. | The incident comes two days after a similar protest when banners were draped over a plane at Heathrow. |
Police are with the group, who are standing behind turrets overlooking Parliament Square and on a ladder leading from the turrets to the top of the roof. | Police are with the group, who are standing behind turrets overlooking Parliament Square and on a ladder leading from the turrets to the top of the roof. |
These stunts are becoming tiresome and do nothing more than peddle inaccurate propaganda Matthew KnowlesSociety of British Aerospace Companies href="/1/hi/uk_politics/7266788.stm">Keeping Parliament secure class="" href="/1/hi/uk_politics/7266567.stm">At-a-glance: Past protests | |
But they have shown no signs of ending the protest, waving at the crowds and media gathered outside Parliament's gates. | But they have shown no signs of ending the protest, waving at the crowds and media gathered outside Parliament's gates. |
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "It is believed there are six protesters who are currently in dialogue with officers at the scene." | A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "It is believed there are six protesters who are currently in dialogue with officers at the scene." |
According to Plane Stupid, the organisation behind the protest, the paper planes were made from documents obtained under the Freedom of Information Act. | According to Plane Stupid, the organisation behind the protest, the paper planes were made from documents obtained under the Freedom of Information Act. |
A Plane Stupid spokesman said of the third runway plans: "Two million Londoners face increased levels of noise, while CO2 emissions from the airport would shoot up despite claims by Brown that he's committed to fighting climate change." | A Plane Stupid spokesman said of the third runway plans: "Two million Londoners face increased levels of noise, while CO2 emissions from the airport would shoot up despite claims by Brown that he's committed to fighting climate change." |
'Becoming tiresome' | 'Becoming tiresome' |
But Matthew Knowles, spokesman for the Society of British Aerospace Companies, said: "These stunts are becoming tiresome and do nothing more than peddle inaccurate propaganda. | But Matthew Knowles, spokesman for the Society of British Aerospace Companies, said: "These stunts are becoming tiresome and do nothing more than peddle inaccurate propaganda. |
"The aviation industry has achieved a 75% cut in fuel burn over the past 50 years and a similar reduction in noise from aircraft in the past 30 years." | "The aviation industry has achieved a 75% cut in fuel burn over the past 50 years and a similar reduction in noise from aircraft in the past 30 years." |
The protest will raise fresh questions over security at the Houses of Parliament. | The protest will raise fresh questions over security at the Houses of Parliament. |
We have had a sham consultation on Heathrow Norman Baker, Lib Dems | We have had a sham consultation on Heathrow Norman Baker, Lib Dems |
It is seen as a fundamental part of British democracy that people should be able to go there to lobby their MP. | It is seen as a fundamental part of British democracy that people should be able to go there to lobby their MP. |
The public are allowed temporary passes to some parts of the building, but to get to most parts of the Palace of Westminster it is necessary to have security clearance or to be a guest of someone with clearance. | The public are allowed temporary passes to some parts of the building, but to get to most parts of the Palace of Westminster it is necessary to have security clearance or to be a guest of someone with clearance. |
The buildings have been subject to increasingly tight security measures in recent years because of the threat of terrorist attack. | The buildings have been subject to increasingly tight security measures in recent years because of the threat of terrorist attack. |
Security had also been reviewed and stepped up after previous protests, including a fathers' rights group throwing purple powder at then prime minister Tony Blair, and anti-hunting ban protesters entering the Commons. | Security had also been reviewed and stepped up after previous protests, including a fathers' rights group throwing purple powder at then prime minister Tony Blair, and anti-hunting ban protesters entering the Commons. |
Liberal Democrat transport spokesman Norman Baker told the BBC: "It's clearly worrying that they have been able to get on the roof... | Liberal Democrat transport spokesman Norman Baker told the BBC: "It's clearly worrying that they have been able to get on the roof... |
"But having said that I can understand, in a sense, the objective of the protesters. We have had a sham consultation on Heathrow." | "But having said that I can understand, in a sense, the objective of the protesters. We have had a sham consultation on Heathrow." |
The prime minister's spokesman said: "Our general position on Heathrow is there's an ongoing consultation on the third runway that closes today. | The prime minister's spokesman said: "Our general position on Heathrow is there's an ongoing consultation on the third runway that closes today. |
He added: "We are not going to comment on this particular incident. It's not clear what the full facts are at this point. | He added: "We are not going to comment on this particular incident. It's not clear what the full facts are at this point. |
"It's really a matter for the parliamentary authorities." | "It's really a matter for the parliamentary authorities." |
The rooftop demonstration comes on the same day that campaigners for a referendum on the EU Reform Treaty are due to hold a mass lobby of MPs at Westminster. | The rooftop demonstration comes on the same day that campaigners for a referendum on the EU Reform Treaty are due to hold a mass lobby of MPs at Westminster. |
There is also a permanent protest against the Iraq War on Parliament Square, led by veteran Brian Haw. | There is also a permanent protest against the Iraq War on Parliament Square, led by veteran Brian Haw. |
Have you seen the protests? Are you taking part? If you have any information you would like to share with the BBC you can do so using the form below: | Have you seen the protests? Are you taking part? If you have any information you would like to share with the BBC you can do so using the form below: |
You can send pictures and video to: | You can send pictures and video to: |
yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here. Click here to see terms and conditions | yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here. Click here to see terms and conditions |
At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. |