Extinction Rebellion blocks gates at Ineos refinery

Climate activists have blocked the gates of the Ineos refinery at Grangemouth with boats.

Extinction Rebellion Scotland claims Ineos is Scotland's biggest climate polluter and is staging the blockade as part of a programme of action.

Small groups of no more than six people have locked themselves together at the gates and aim to remain there all day.

Two boats are being used to block the entrances to the refinery and the headquarters.

Annie Lane, 26, a campaigner from Glasgow, said: "Ineos Grangemouth is Scotland's largest climate polluter. It is Scotland's only crude oil refinery.

"It also stores fracked gas from the States. Given the widely assumed 'ban' on fracking in Scotland, for fracked gas which harms communities worldwide to still be processed here is outrageously hypocritical.

"We are here to expose the climate destruction that Ineos is causing. We are running out of time, with the climate crisis affecting so many in the global south already.''

Campaigners held up banners stating "No Future in Fossil Fuels'' and "Climate Justice = Social Justice'.'

Extinction Rebellion Scotland said Covid-19 safety precautions are being taken, including face masks, social distancing and use of hand sanitiser, while participating activists are using a track and trace app.

A demonstration is also due to take place outside the Ineos headquarters in London on Friday morning.

Meg Peyton Jones, from Edinburgh, said, "We're 10 years on from Scotland's first Climate Act, and yet plants such as Grangemouth are still being expanded.

"We cannot trust big oil corporations to prioritise the planet and the long-term wellbeing of either their workers or the general population above squeezing every last drop of oil and gas out of the North Sea, no matter how much they try to distract us with greenwash about renewables.''

A Police Scotland spokesman said: "Officers are currently in attendance at a peaceful protest in Bo'ness Road and Inchyra Road, Grangemouth.

"The roads are blocked and drivers are asked to avoid the area. We are liaising with the protest organisers, Extinction Rebellion.''

Ineos has been asked for comment.

Hear all the latest news from across the North of Scotland on MFR. Listen on FM, via our Rayo app, DAB, or smart speaker.