Just Stop Oil demonstrator shoved to ground in protest clash

Video footage has captured the moment a member of the public shoved a Just Stop Oil demonstrator to the ground in the latest clash to hit the group.

The clip, posted online by environmental activists, shows the man grabbing one of the protesters as they blocked traffic during a “go-slow” march on Blackfriars Bridge in central London.

The man, who is seen wearing fluorescent trousers, then pushes the demonstrator to the side of the road – causing him to fall to the floor and into the back of a policeman’s legs.

The workman is then seen grabbing another demonstrator in the road, who he begins to push – before two officers intervene and pull him to one side.

Climate change demonstrators also disrupted Shell’s annual general meeting in London on Tuesday.

Police have urged the public not to try and stop such protests after similar confrontations, including a clash in the City of London on Friday, which was also caught on camera.

The latest footage, filmed on Tuesday morning, shows officers handcuffing the man while someone is heard shouting “you f***ing assaulted me”.

A motorist is heard blaring their horn, while a workman also shouts “get off my van” at the police and the detained man as they come close to his vehicle. An onlooker is heard in the background shouting: “Give the guy a break, he’s trying to get to work”.

A Scotland Yard spokesperson later said a man had been detained on suspicion of common assault, but confirmed he had not been arrested and was released.

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It came as Just Stop Oil said 45 of its activists blocked roads on Blackfriars, London and Tower bridges on Tuesday morning by walking slowly in the road.

Public urged ‘not to intervene’

The group said there were a number of clashes at other protest sites, including with members of the public snatching banners.

It said on Twitter: “This is an impossible situation. That’s where our government has left us. More and more people are realising taking action is the right thing to do.

“Do we disrupt other ordinary people, like this man, arrested for lashing out today, or just sit back and watch everything burn?”

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0:36 MP groans at Just Stop Oil protest

Police have powers under the Public Order Act to force protesters out of roads and onto the pavement.

A spokesman said: “At around 8.25am, Met police officers detained a male member of the public for common assault after an altercation between him and two Just Stop Oil protesters.”

They added: “We urge people not to intervene and to let police deal with the situation who, if not already there, will arrive promptly.”

The Met’s Deputy Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor described the incident as “unacceptable” in a later statement.

He added: “Officers on [the] scene responded proportionately. They detained the man in handcuffs to prevent further breach of the peace.

“They took his details, will review evidence and interview the male – who was not arrested – with a view to further police action as necessary”.