Stonehenge sprayed orange by Just Stop Oil protestors

Just Stop Oil protestors have sprayed orange cornflour onto Stonehenge this lunchtime (Wednesday 19th June).

Two people ran across the monument field just after 12.00pm, with other visitors and English Heritage staff trying to pull them away.

The organisation say the protest is calling for the next Government to sign a legally binding treaty to phase out fossil fuels by 2030.

The protest comes a day before the start of Summer Solstice celebrations, when thousands of people gather to see out the sunset and welcome in the longest day (4.50am, Friday 21st June).

A Just Stop Oil spokesperson said:

“The UK’s government in waiting has committed to enacting Just Stop Oil’s original demand of ‘no new oil and gas’. However, we all know this is not enough. Continuing to burn coal, oil and gas will result in the death of millions. We have to come together to defend humanity or we risk everything. That’s why Just Stop Oil is demanding that our next government sign up to a legally binding treaty to phase out fossil fuels by 2030.

Failure to commit to defending our communities will mean Just Stop Oil supporters, along with citizens from Austria, Canada, Norway, the Netherlands and Switzerland will join in resistance this summer, if their own Governments do not take meaningful action. Stone circles can be found in every part of Europe showing how we’ve always cooperated across vast distances – we’re building on that legacy.”

Wiltshire Police have confirmed two people have been arrested.

In a statement, they've said:

"We have arrested two people following an incident at Stonehenge this afternoon (19/06).

"At around noon, we responded to a report that orange paint had been sprayed on some of the stones by two suspects.

"Officers attended the scene and arrested two people on suspicion of damaging the ancient monument.

"Our enquiries are ongoing, and we are working closely with English Heritage."

Just Stop Oil say the two people involved are a 21 year old from Oxford and a 73 year old from Birmingham.

On social media, English Heritage say the site remains open to the public:

Political leaders have given their reactions to the incident.

Prime Minister, Conservative Rishi Sunak said:

"This is a disgraceful act of vandalism to one of the UK's and the world's oldest and most important monuments.

"Just Stop Oil should be ashamed of their activists, and they and anyone associated with them, including a certain Labour Party donor, should issue a condemnation of this shameful act immediately."

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said:

"The damage done to Stonehenge is outrageous. Just Stop Oil are pathetic.

"Those responsible must face the full force of the law."

Wiltshire's Police and Crime Commissioner, Philip Wilkinson has praised the response from officers:

“The right to peaceful protest is the cornerstone of any democracy but wilful defacing of an ancient monument, such as Stonehenge, with the aim of causing disruption to the majority is not a position I support.

“The quick, and robust, way in which Wiltshire Police officers have taken control of the situation is to be applauded.”

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