Just Stop Oil funds to be DOUBLED by Labour Party donor as eco-warriors get major cash boost

He said: “I’m inviting you to join me in supporting the brave people who are currently slow marching, causing disruption and risking their freedom to save us from the climate crisis.

“If you give a donation in the next 48 hours I will match it, pound for pound.

“There is no better time to make a financial contribution.”

Vince, a so-called green energy industrialist who owns Ecotricity and co-chairs Forest Green Rovers football club, has handed over £1.4million to the Labour Party since 2014.

Ecotricity made donations to Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, deputy leader Angela Rayner and Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham.

The company also donated £70,000 to the Liberal Democrats in 2015/16 and £30,000 to the Green Party in 2013.

Officials from the Conservative Party slammed Starmer for accepting cash from the Just Stop Oil supporter.

In a letter to Labour counterpart Anneliese Dodds, Tory Party chairman Greg Hands said: “I am calling on you to return these donations.

“I am concerned about the influence of this money given the Labour Party’s decision to vote against tougher measures to stop disruption via the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act.

“I note the Labour Party has already caved into the demands made by the group and announced a halt to new oil, gas and coal projects.”

Just Stop Oil caused disruption at four major London bridges on Tuesday afternoon, including Waterloo Bridge at around 5pm.

The group also targets major sporting and cultural events, such as the Chelsea Flower Show and Gallagher Premiership Final at Twickenham.

Despite calls to hand cash back to Vince and his company, a leading Labour MP welcomed the funds propping up the party.

Nick Thomas-Symonds, Shadow International Trade Secretary, said Vince is a “successful businessman here in the UK” and a “perfectly legitimate person to take money from”.

He continued: “If he wishes to give money to other causes that's up to him but it can hardly be said that this affects our views as a Labour Party on Just Stop Oil.”

Lamenting the tactics used by Just Stop Oil, Thomas-Symonds also told the BBC: “What they are doing is entirely counterproductive and the only debate it's provoking is about our public order laws.”

Responding to reports about his pledge to match funds, Vince said: “Along with thousands of others, I am proud to donate vital funds to the cause.

“Right-wing tabloids can say what they like, I won’t be intimidated.

"Nothing is more important than stopping new oil and gas in 2023.”