Six arrests after activists threw paint at a UK government building in Edinburgh
- Published
Climate change activists daubed red paint on a building used by the UK government
Six women have been arrested following an environmental protest outside the UK government offices in Edinburgh.
Red paint was thrown over Queen Elizabeth House by the campaign group Just Stop Oil, who also daubed "blood on your hands" on the building.
Two women are expected to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Friday, with the others set to appear at a later date.
The Jackdaw field, east of Aberdeen, was given the go ahead on Wednesday.
The original proposals had been rejected on environmental grounds in October, but UK Energy Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said the revised plan would reinforce the country's energy security.
The gas field, being developed by Shell, is said to have the potential to produce 6.5% of the UK's gas output.
Shell has said it eventually hopes to reduce the climate change impact by capturing carbon dioxide and storing it underground in Aberdeenshire.
But the approval has angered environmentalists and Greenpeace has threatened legal action.
A spokeswoman for Just Stop Oil said they believed they had to do "anything in our power" to oppose such "destructive policies".
"New oil and gas is not the solution, it's not providing energy security or dealing with the cost-of-living crisis," she said.
"If this government really wanted that they would be insulating homes and investing in renewables.
"We are demanding an affordable, reliable energy supply that doesn't destroy the economy, doesn't cause a cost-of-living crisis and doesn't destroy the liveable planet for generations to come."
A spokeswoman for HM Revenue & Customs, which owns the building, said: "There was a small demonstration outside our Queen Elizabeth House site in Edinburgh this afternoon (Thursday).
"Police have been in attendance and our services are unaffected."
A Police Scotland spokesman said: "Around 11.40am on Thursday, 2 June, 2022, police were made aware of a protest on Sibbald Walk, Edinburgh. Officers attended and engaged with those present.
"Six women, aged between 19 and 26, were arrested and charged in connection with a number of offences."