M25 blocked by Just Stop Oil protesters as disruption intensifies

The M25 is blocked anticlockwise at Junction 31 for Lakeside in Essex because of a demonstration by Just Stop Oil. According to reports, protesters have begun climbing gantries at the M1 junction. Hertfordshire Police said: ‘We are responding to reports of protest activity at junction 20 (Kings Langley) of the #M25.’Officers are at the scene.’Please avoid the area and seek an alternate route where possible.’We’ll update you as soon as possible.’Activists shut down sections of the motorway by climbing onto gantries during rush hour just a day ago.A stretch of road between Junctions 6 and 7 in Surrey and the key Junction 25 in Waltham Cross were closed as police dealt with demonstrations on Monday morning.Activists also targeted other locations along the motorway circling Greater London in a call to end all new oil and gas licenses.Further disruption comes as the Metropolitan Police announced efforts on Sunday night to arrest the ‘mastermind’ behind the plans and put an end to the disruption.In an emotional video, one 24-year-old protester, named Louise teared up as she told the camera: ‘I’m here because I don’t have a future.’And you might hate me for doing this, and you’re entitled to hate me, but I wish you would direct all that anger and hatred at our government.’They are betraying young people like me.’She went on: ‘How many more people have to say ‘we don’t have a liveable future if you continue licensing oil and gas’ for you to listen?’Why does it take young people like me, up on a f*****g gantry on the M25, for you to listen?’The Metropolitan Police confirmed that by the end of the day 35 people had been arrested.More follows…