Extinction Rebellion climate protesters have superglued their hands together, forming a human barrier around the Speaker's Chair in the House of Commons chamber.
In a tweet the eco-activist group wrote: "Extinction Rebellion supporters have superglued around the Speaker's Chair inside the commons chamber.
"Right now inside Parliament a speech is being read out demanding a Citizens' Assembly Now: “We are in crisis. We can not afford to carry on like this...""
Two other protesters are photographed next to the Speaker's Chair holding placards saying "Let the people decide" and "Citizens assembly now".
It is so far unclear how the protesters made it into the Commons chamber.
Extinction Rebellion protesters super glue their hands together around the Speaker's chair.
@XRebellionUK
The eco-group unveiled a banner within Parliament's grounds.
@XRebellionUK
The eco-activist organisation also tweeted: "The protest points to the need for a Citizens’ Assembly to cut through the corruption in Westminster, update politics & let the people decide."
Activists outside the Houses of Parliament
Aaron Chown
GB News Political Correspondent Tom Harwood responded to the images taken in the chamber, mocking the messages written on the placards.
Offering alternative words to the placard reading "Citizens' Assembly Now", Tom wrote "Maduro style parallel pretend parliament that agrees with us, instead of the legitimate one that doesn't, now".
GB News presenter Michelle Dewberry also reacted to the apparent break-in, writing on Twitter: "The absolute state of this."
She then listed her three initial thoughts on the incident: "1. Someone needs to answer Qs about security failure.
"2. This behaviour should have been stopped properly ages ago.
"3. Just leave them there now. Maybe give them some paperwork backlogs or something to work through while there."
Her final thought on the matter was to say the people should pay little attention to the eco-group.
"...just ignore them."
Extinction Rebellion said a group of around 50 people were involved in the “non-violent” action at the Palace of Westminster.
They said three people booked on an official tour of the building glued themselves in a chain around the Speaker’s chair inside the Commons chamber.
The activists took turns to read a speech in support of the need for a citizens’ assembly, the group added.
An XR protester within Parliament.
@XRebellionUK
A trio locked themselves to the gates
Aaron Chown
The message reads 'Let the People Decide'
Aaron Chown
Alanna Byrne, of Extinction Rebellion, said: “It is possible to change things and update politics so it really represents ordinary people.
“Independent citizens’ assemblies can show that those blocking progress in Westminster have no democratic mandate to continue destroying the environment and give power back to people. Selected like a jury and supported with independent, expert knowledge, this is true democracy that reflects the diversity of the population.
“But to create a new, fairer politics will require first thousands, then millions of us. It will require sustained culture-shifting civil disobedience, until we become impossible to ignore. Then, when there’s enough of us, positive change will become inevitable.”
Political commentator Dominique Samuels also took to Twitter to write: "How did the Extinction Rebellion lunatics get into Parliament?
"Why did they receive over 3 MILLION in funding last year?
"Why do we not know who their donors are? This is in the public interest."
GB News Home Affairs and Security Editor Mark White told The Briefing with Tom Harwood: "Sadly this will be another issue for the Metropolitan Police to answer for, in the sense that they are responsible for guarding the Palace of Westminster and ensuring that no one that shouldn't be in there can get in there."
In a statement the Metropolitan Police said: "Officers rapidly responded to an incident at the Palace of Westminster (PoW) today at approximately 11:45hrs after we became aware of a number of protesters within the Parliamentary estate.
Extinction Rebellion protesters, who have padlocked their necks to the railings, outside the Houses of Parliament, Westminster, calling for a Citizen's assembly.
Aaron Chown
"Met specialist Protester Removal Team officers worked with other officers and security staff based at the PoW to remove the protesters.
"Four protesters who were present in the Chambers and had glued themselves to each other were de-bonded and arrested. None of these protesters were glued to the Speaker’s chair and there has been no damage to the Speaker’s chair.
"A protester who glued himself to the pavement inside the PoW was de-bonded and arrested.
"A protestor who climbed onto some scaffolding within the PoW came down of his own volition and was arrested.
"All of the above six individuals were arrested on suspicion of offences under Section 128 of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act of 2005.
"Two protesters who locked themselves to the Carriage Gates were removed and arrested for failing to comply with directions under Section 143 of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act of 2011.
"All of those arrested have been taken into custody at central London police stations where they currently remain.
"A police investigation into the incident is now taking place in close liaison with our Parliamentary Security colleagues to establish the full circumstances of the incident.
"The incident was concluded at approximately 14:16hrs."
An Extinction Rebellion protester
GB News
