Nick Ferrari Lays Into "Incompetent" Extinction Rebellion Activist Over Stunts

4 October 2019, 08:50 | Updated: 4 October 2019, 08:52

Nick Ferrari asked an Extinction Rebellion activist four times what they will achieve by putting people's lives at risk with their stunts - and the protester couldn't answer.

The climate change group say they will "shut down" London for two weeks, starting on Monday, to try to force the government to act over the climate emergency. It follows their action earlier this year, when they blocked roads across the capital.

During Speak To Sadiq with James O'Brien yesterday, Mayor Sadiq Khan told LBC that police are having to be diverted from dealing with knife crime to deal with the activists.

Speaking to Rob Cooper, an Extinction Rebellion activist who used to be a police officer, Nick warned him someone could die because of their action.

He told him: "You're a former copper. You know how serious it is in a city like this where there is a lot of knife crime.

"Your colleagues in London plan to close down 10 roads around Westminster. There is a major London hospital there. Someone desperately needs to get to hospital and your colleagues prevent them getting there and they die. What does that achieve?"

Nick Ferrari took this Extinction Rebellion activist to tast
Nick Ferrari took this Extinction Rebellion activist to tast. Picture: PA / LBC

Mr Cooper tried to claim that the group were working with the police to ensure access for emergency services.

But Nick insisted: "Last time, there was no access or departure over one of the bridges next to the hospital by the House of Commons. You couldn't get over there, only on a bicycle.

"So, there is a very real possibility someone will die, or people who need to get to relatives who are dying won't get there. What does that achieve?"

The protester responded by talking about how the government are not taking the climate emergency seriously.

However, Nick then told him: "Respectfully, I just need to know how taking police away, how someone not being able to get to a dying or sick relative, how someone dying in an ambulance will get you public support.

"You're supporting this insanity. As ever, this is a very blunt and incompetent weapon and tool."

More Nick Ferrari

See more More Nick Ferrari

Exclusive
'Why does the word Conservative not appear on your posters?' Susan Hall grilled

Susan Hall claims she is 'being naughty' by leaving the word 'Conservative' off her Mayoral campaign material

Exclusive
Susan Hall has doubled down on claims she was pickpocketed on the Tube

'Can you be trusted with London?' Susan Hall refuses to apologise as she stands by Tube 'pickpocketing' claims

Nick Ferrari

'I cannot overstate the amount of trauma': Infected blood scandal victim advocates for justice and compensation

The Security Minister was speaking to LBC's NIck Ferrari

Security Minister agrees Home Office losing 17,000 asylum seekers is an 'absolute shambles'

Caller Sol speaks to Nick Ferrari from Jerusalem.

Caller describes terrifying moment he heard gunshots as two Palestinian attackers open fire in Jerusalem

Israel and Hamas have started a four-day truce

'We won't live with Hamas': Fragile four-day truce between Israel and Hamas is 'just a pause', insists Netanyahu adviser

Treasury Minister Gareth Davies confirms that there are 'no plans' to change winter fuel payments

'We've always stood by pensioners;' Minister confirms there are 'no plans' to change winter fuel payments

Sunak will quit even if the election loss is not as bad as feared, Kwasi Kwarteng has told LBC

Rishi Sunak will go even if Tories lose election narrowly but Braverman has no hope of taking over, Kwasi Kwarteng says

David Cameron's return to government signals 'the grown ups are back in the building' Clare Foges tells LBC

David Cameron's return to government signals 'the grown ups are back in the building' Clare Foges tells LBC

Exclusive
The education minister has said he respects the police's operational independence.

‘I’ve always respected the operational independence of the police’, education minister says amid Braverman ‘bias’ row

The Culture Secretary was speaking to LBC's Nick Ferrari at Breakfast

Sports Secretary caught offside by Nick Ferrari as she can't name Rugby adviser she's met with twice in last few months

Hamas are booby trapping nurseries, an IDF spokesperson has said as forces close in on Gaza

Hamas leaving booby traps in nurseries as it departs, says IDF spokesperson

The Justice Secretary was speaking to LBC's Nick Ferrari ahead of the state opening of Parliament

Government defends King's speech crackdown on crime as long-planned, not electioneering

Police should take 'as robust a line as possible' on Just Stop Oil, says ex-Met commander

Police should take 'as robust a line as possible' on Just Stop Oil, says ex-Met commander

Rishi Sunak says police have the ‘absolute and total’ support of ministers

Rishi Sunak says police have ‘absolute and total’ support ahead of pro-Palestinian protest planned for Armistice Day

Exclusive
The former top Met cop says he thinks the march will be allowed to go ahead

Met 'won't bow to political pressure' over pro-Palestine Armistice Day protest, ex top cop says, amid calls to cancel