A Just Stop Oil spokesperson has defended the actions of two members of the activist group after they sprayed orange paint onto Stonehenge.
Members of the public attempted to stop the protest as they sprayed the material onto the historic British monument, just days before the Summer Solstice celebrations at the site.
In a statement, Just Stop Oil claimed the action was to demand that the incoming UK Government should agree to a plan with other governments to end the extraction and burning of oil, gas and coal by 2030.
They said: "Continuing to burn coal, oil and gas will result in the death of millions. We have to come together to defend humanity or we risk everything. That’s why Just Stop Oil is demanding that our next government sign up to a legally binding treaty to phase out fossil fuels by 2030."
A Just Stop Oil spokesperson has defended the protest after demonstrators attacked Stonehenge
GB News / X
Defending the actions on GB News, Just Stop Oil spokesperson Gill Tavner claimed that the paint "will be washed off really easily" and is "not long-lasting damage at all".
Tavner added: "It's unlike the damage that is being done now by the fossil fuel industry by just keeping burning fossil fuels, putting more CO2 in the atmosphere."
Host Emily Carver highlighted that any damage to Stonehenge falls under the Ancient Monuments Act, and that it is a "criminal offence" to cause any harm to the protected site.
Emily told Tavner: "So because this stuff can be washed off, ergo, there's no issue here? Stonehenge isn't particularly happy about this - this isn't good for nature, is it?"
Just Stop Oil targeted the iconic British monument with orange cornflour paint
X / Just Stop Oil
Tavner hit back, arguing: "I think you're getting things so out of perspective here. What isn't good for nature is the damage we are doing now.
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"And what's not good for nature globally is not good for you, it's not good for me, and it's not good for the people watching this program."
Emily took on board Tavner's argument and said "we understand you're deeply concerned about climate change", but urged the group to "try a different tack" rather than an "assault on Stonehenge".
Tavner disagreed, fuming: "Let's get some of the fossil fuel CEOs on the channel and ask them about the real damage they're doing, instead of asking some people about spraying a bit of orange powder paint.
"You know, we need to get perspective, please. Because this is really serious and really important."
Gill Tavner said mainstream media needs to 'get perspective' on climate change
GB News
Wiltshire Police said officers had attended the scene and arrested two people.
A spokesman added: "Our inquiries are ongoing, and we are working closely with English Heritage."
English Heritage said experts were assessing the "extent of the damage" on the stones. A spokeswoman said: "Orange powdered paint has been thrown at a number of the stones at Stonehenge.
"Obviously, this is extremely upsetting and our curators are investigating the extent of the damage. Stonehenge remains open to the public."