Seven Just Stop Oil protesters arrested while trying to disrupt access to departure gates at Heathrow airport

Seven Just Stop Oil protesters have been arrested on suspicion of public order offences after blocking the passenger search area at Heathrow’s Terminal 5.

The protesters, who tried to disrupt access to the departure gates inside the airport at just before 9am on Thursday, were seen holding signs reading: “Oil Kills” and: “Sign the Treaty”.

Both the Metropolitan Police and Heathrow said minimal disruption was caused, and it is understood the demonstrators were removed within 20 minutes.

Passengers continued to access security lanes either side of where the group sat.

Scotland Yard said: “Seven Just Stop Oil protesters have been arrested on suspicion of public order offences after they blocked a passenger search area at Terminal 5, Heathrow.

“Officers swiftly attended and removed the protesters with minimal disruption caused.”

A Heathrow spokesperson said: “Earlier this morning a protest incident in Terminal 5 was swiftly resolved and all involved were immediately removed from the airport.

“Unlawful and irresponsible protest activity is not the way forward and will not be tolerated. Our priority will always be to maintain the safety of passengers and colleagues, and we’ll continue to work closely with our partners and the police in taking proportionate action to protect travel plans this summer.”

Just Stop Oil said at least a further ten people were arrested on public transport.

The group said among those arrested on Thursday was Di Bligh, 77, who served as chief executive of Reading Council in the 1990s.

Ms Bligh said: “Electric cars and windfarms won’t do it: governments must act together before we reach more tipping points into chaos than we can prevent.

“We need our political leaders to act now, by working with other nations to establish a legally binding treaty to stop the extraction and burning of oil, gas and coal by 2030.”

Climate activists have repeatedly targeted airports around the world in recent days, in a campaign named Oil Kills.

Just Stop Oil supporters Phoebe Plummer, 22, and Jane Touil, 58, sprayed orange paint onto departure boards at Heathrow’s Terminal 5 on Tuesday.

They were remanded in custody after appearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court the following day, according to the group.