Birmingham man arrested after Just Stop Oil throws orange powder on Stonehenge

Two people have been arrested after Just Stop Oil protestors threw orange powder over the stones at Stonehenge.

Author: Molly HookingsPublished 20th Jun 2024
Last updated 20th Jun 2024

Two people have been arrested after orange paint was sprayed on the Stonehenge stones by Just Stop Oil activists.

A 21-year-old woman from Oxford and a 73-year-old man from Birmingham are being questioned after the powder paint was thrown at the historic site at around 11am yesterday (Wed).

Leaders, including the prime minister, have condemned the attack. 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."

Whereas the Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer, said: 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."

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.”

Summer solstice celebrations are going ahead as planned today.

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