Labour endorses Extinction Rebellion activists after week of protest

Shadow health secretary pledges to make climate change a central policy focus

Labour has backed the Extinction Rebellion protesters who have carried out a week of civil disobedience and occupations to highlight the ecological emergency, likening them to the Chartists, suffragettes and anti-apartheid activists.

Speaking in response to an urgent question in the Commons on Tuesday, the shadow energy minister, Barry Gardiner - who also holds the international trade role - said that alongside the school strikes, the protests organised by Extinction Rebellion were reminiscent of previous memorable struggles.