Cop26: Chaos as hundreds of climate protesters march through Glasgow

Hundreds of climate activists are marching through Glasgow as part of an Extinction Rebellion demonstration around the Cop26 summit.

It's one of several protests taking place in Glasgow on Wednesday as the crucial climate summit discusses the financial system.

After being penned in by police for more than an hour, protesters are on the move once again down Union Street towards the Cop26 venue amid a heavy police presence.

Meanwhile, another group of climate change activists have blocked rush hour traffic outside Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in the West End of the city.

Demonstrators unveiled a 'code red' banner in the middle of Argyle Street ahead of bankers arriving at the museum for a dinner this evening.

Setting off from Buchanan Street steps just after midday, the marchers were held at a police cordon on Sauchiehall Street.

The column of protesters turned back on themselves and went along West Nile Street, before moving down through other parts of the city centre.

READ MORE: More road closures as thousands of protestors set to march in Glasgow

Traffic was stopped in several streets as demonstrators made their way through.

Now, several activists have staged a sit-down protest outside the offices of SSE and JPMorgan in Waterloo Street.

The march moved on past as campaigners, surrounded by police officers, refused to move from the entrance to the energy firm.

READ MORE: Climate activists join Glasgow refuse workers during Cop26 bin strikes

Earlier, activists campaigning against the Cambo oil field staged a mock ceremony featuring "the Queen" turning off the taps to the oil pipeline.

The demonstration in the city's Buchanan Street comes on the anniversary of the Queen inaugurating the flow of North Sea oil in 1975.

READ MORE: The who's who of COP26

Friends of the Earth Scotland, along with the campaign groups Platform and Stop Cambo, staged the event on Wednesday morning.

An activist dressed as the Queen descended the steps at the top of Buchanan Street before reading a speech and turning off a large prop tap.

Caroline Rance, of Friends of the Earth Scotland, said: "It has been 46 years since the Queen turned on the tap: it is high time we turned it off and stopped the continual flow of oil and gas.

"If we want a liveable climate, scientists are telling us there can be no fossil fuel developments - oil and gas, as well as coal - from now on.

"Boris Johnson, as host of these climate talks, must demonstrate what real climate action looks like."

READ MORE: A safe and good-natured Cop26 so far - let's keep it that way say police

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said an environmental review of the Cambo field in the North Sea should be carried out before extraction begins.

Scottish Secretary Alister Jack has backed the new oil field, saying Cambo is "priced in" to the UK Government's plans to reduce emissions.

Rosemary Harris, of Platform, said there should be no new investment in oil and gas.

She told the PA news agency: "Any new oil and gas production is continuing to support a declining industry.

"There's a lot of talk about it being important for jobs, but they should be creating pathways for workers outside oil and gas."

Cop26 protests in Glasgow so far

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