Birmingham Attacks and Extinction Rebellion Protests

Alexander Stafford Excerpts

Monday 7th September 2020 Commons Chamber

[Madam Deputy Speaker (Dame Rosie Winterton)]

Order. Just to re-emphasise, we need to move through the remaining questioners so that we can get on to the next business.

[Alexander Stafford (Rother Valley) (Con)]

The Minister will know that there is no greater advocate for the environment or low carbon than me—I worked in the sector for many years—but does he not agree that the actions of Extinction Rebellion, whether vandalism, blockading or even threatening to have MPs shot in the head, as its founder said, undermine the good cause? Does he agree that we need to root out extremists, be they far left, far right or eco-extremists?

[Kit Malthouse]

Absolutely right. My hon. Friend speaks the truth. The sad effect of the events this weekend is that they have probably turned more people off the cause then they have encouraged to join it.