Climate activists throw black paint at Michael Gove’s office

Extinction Rebellion hit British minister's office in protest against his decision to open a new coal mine

Black paint on the pavement outside the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities in London following the protest. PA

Climate activists covered British minister Michael Gove's office in black paint on Wednesday in protest against his decision to approve a new coal mine in Cumbria.

The Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities in central London was hit by Extinction Rebellion members who poured black paint down the sloped walls towards the front doors of the building on Wednesday morning.

Two members of the group cuffed themselves together with a lock-on tube bearing the words “end coal” and lay down in front of the entrance.

Other protesters could be seen wearing yellow hooded capes and face masks. One demonstrator wore a Michael Gove mask and dressed in a skeleton costume while holding a mock pickaxe.

Extinction Rebellion said the protest was over the mine in Whitehaven, Cumbria, which will be the UK’s first new deep coal mine in 30 years.

Latest Extinction Rebellion protests in London — in pictures

Extinction Rebellion protesters at the Queen Victoria Memorial outside the gates of Buckingham Palace in London, which they daubed with red paint to protest against hunting animals. AP Photo

Red stains on the Queen Victoria Memorial in London, where Extinction Rebellion continued their latest round of protests, promising two weeks of disruption. AFP

Police officers detain an Extinction Rebellion activist during a protest outside Buckingham Palace. Reuters

A police officer takes a sample of water from the fountain at the Queen Victoria Memorial outside Buckingham Palace. AFP

Red paint splashed over the Queen Victoria Memorial. AFP

Caught red-handed ...a police officer detains an activist near Buckingham Palace. Reuters

Police officers outside Buckingham Palace during the protest. Reuters

Extinction Rebellion demonstrators block the road in Victoria Street outside the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy in London. EPA

Demonstrators outside the UK Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy in London. AP Photo

Protesters in central London. EPA

Climate activists take a break to have a snack in central London. AFP

“2022 saw record global greenhouse gas emissions, and record global temperatures,” said Sarah Hart, a demonstrator from Farnborough, Hampshire.

“Where is the government’s ambition to act on this climate and ecological emergency? How dare they even think of opening a coal mine now?

“Gove claims this mine is carbon neutral but he completely ignores the emissions from burning the coal. We demand an end to all new fossil fuel projects.”

Extinction Rebellion demonstrations in Berlin — in pictures

Police detain an activist as Extinction Rebellion demonstrate in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany. Climate change protests and blockades have been taking place in the German Capital since August 16. EPA

Extinction Rebellion activists glue themselves to a truck in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin. EPA

Extinction Rebellion demonstrate in front of the Brandenburg Gate. EPA

An activist jumps over an obstacle as XR blocks the street in front of the Brandenburg Gate. EPA

Demonstrators stand on top of the Brandenburg Gate. EPA

Activists are chained to a truck as they block the street in front of the Brandenburg Gate. EPA

Activists from Extinction Rebellion hold hands with the word "glue" written across them. EPA

A demonstrator is chained in Berlin. EPA

A member of the police force tries to loosen the hand of an activist, stuck to the windowsill with super glue, during a protest in front of the House Of The Economic Council in Berlin. AP Photo

Demonstrators affiliated with Extinction Rebellion hold up banners as they march in front of the Social Democratic Party of Germany headquarters in Berlin. AFP

Dorothea Hackman, a protester from Camden, north London, said: “Opening a coal mine today means the UK can’t argue that China and India should decrease their own coal emissions.

“Whitehaven coal isn’t even wanted by British steelworks — it’s going to be exported. There is no argument for domestic production.”

Extinction Rebellion began the year by stating it would temporarily stop public disruption tactics, which have frustrated commuters and businesses over the past four years, because “very little has changed” and emissions continue to rise.