Just Stop Oil protesters interrupt Proms concert and live broadcast of TV comedy show The Last Leg
Just Stop Oil protesters have invaded the stage during the first night of the Proms – as other activists later interrupted a live broadcast of Channel 4’s The Last Leg comedy show.
In the Proms incident at London’s Royal Albert Hall on Friday evening, the environmental group tweeted that two demonstrators had set off confetti cannons and sounded air horns, and attempted to address the audience before being forcibly removed.
Pic: @alexcohengrin/Twitter
The pair were booed by some people in the audience as they were bundled off stage after unfurling banners.
The BBC, which airs the annual classical music event, said “there was no disruption to the concert or the broadcast during the few seconds the protesters were on stage”. It also denied air horns and confetti were used.
Around a couple of hours later, just minutes into the airing of The Last Leg talk show, three activists wearing Just Stop Oil t-shirts ran on to the set and handed hi vis orange vests to the programme’s stars.
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Just Stop Oil interrupt comedy show
Host Adam Hills cheered and said: “This is not part of the show.”
One of the protesters, who called himself William, even hugged Hills as the TV star then tried to put the bright top on over his jacket before deciding against it.
The trio were soon led off stage by staff.
Just Stop Oil said the Royal Albert Hall demonstrators were Kate Logan, a 38-year-old mother of two, and Pia Bastide, a 29-year-old community worker – both from London.
“I refuse to accept that my future is being sold away, one new oil licence at a time, and do nothing,” said Ms Bastide in a statement.
The protest group wants the government to stop licensing all new oil, gas and coal projects and has tried to disrupt numerous high-profile events to highlight its cause.
Pic: Just Stop Oil
In response to the Royal Albert Hall incident, Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer tweeted: “Eco zealots shouldn’t disrupt sports events, weddings or the Proms.
“My message is this: Leave people to enjoy the events they love, and stop damaging your own cause.”
Confetti and jigsaw pieces were thrown on a court at Wimbledon last week, while England cricketer Jonny Bairstow carried off a protester at the Ashes in June.
Orange powder was also thrown on a table at the snooker world championship in April, while the Chelsea Flower Show was targeted in May.
Two members of the group were jailed for more than two and a half years a few months ago after climbing the bridge at the Dartford Crossing in October.
New powers to crack down on activists came into force this month.
They give police new rights to move static protesters, such as those who attach themselves to objects or sit in the road.
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Police are taking no further action over Kneecap’s performance at Glastonbury.
Officers said they had investigated “comments about a forthcoming court case made during Kneecap’s performance” at the festival on 28 June.
However, after Crown Prosecution Service advice, they decided there is not enough evidence “to provide a realistic prospect of conviction for any offence”.
The Avon & Somerset force started investigating the Irish group’s show last month, as well as comments by punk-rap duo Bob Vylan.
It said they were looking at a possible public order incident.
Police said on Friday that the investigation into Bob Vylan’s performance was ongoing.
The London duo were widely criticised – and caused a BBC crisis – after leading on-stage chants of “death to the IDF” (Israel Defence Forces).
Kneecap’s Liam Og O Hannaidh appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in June. Pic: PA
Kneecap posted a photograph on Instagram, which the group said was an email from police announcing the case was being dropped.
They said their packed Glastonbury gig was a “celebration of love and solidarity” and reporting used “wildly misleading headlines”.
Fears over what Kneecap might do or say during the performance had prompted the BBC not to show it live.
The group said: “Every single person who saw our set knew no law was broken, not even close… yet the police saw fit to publicly announce they were opening an investigation.”
“There is no public apology, they don’t send this to media or post it on police accounts,” they added.
The police statement on Friday said they had informed Kneecap of their decision to drop the case.
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One of the group’s members appeared in court in June charged with a terror offence.
Liam Og O hAnnaidh is accused of displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah, a proscribed organisation in the UK, at a gig last year.
He was released on unconditional bail ahead of a second court appearance in August.
Entertainment
Tomorrowland: ‘Devastating’ blaze destroys main stage at major festival – two days before it was due to begin
A huge fire has destroyed the main stage of a major festival in Belgium – two days before it was due to begin.
Tomorrowland is a dance music event as big as Glastonbury – and David Guetta was due to perform.
Footage showed flames and thick plumes of black smoke engulfing the stage and spreading to nearby woodland on Wednesday.
The fire gutted the main stage
Fire crews attempt to bring the blaze under control
The annual festival in the town of Boom, north of Brussels, is one of the biggest in Europe and attracts about 400,000 people over two consecutive weekends.
It is famous for its immersive and elaborate designs and attracts big names within dance music – including Guetta, best known for tracks When Love Takes Over and Titanium.
Dutch DJs Martin Garrix and Charlotte de Witte were also due to perform, along with the likes of Swedish House Mafia, Eric Prydz and Alok.
Black smoke could be seen rising into the sky
The festival’s website described the creative elements which went into the elaborate main stage.
The theme, described as Orbyz, was “set in a magical universe made entirely out of ice” and “full of mythical creatures”.
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Organisers said no one was injured in the blaze but confirmed “our beloved main stage has been severely damaged”, adding they were “devastated”.
Spokesperson Debby Wilmsen added: “We received some truly terrible news today. A fire broke out on the Tomorrowland site … and our main stage was essentially destroyed there, which is truly awful.
“That’s a stage that took years to build, with so much love and passion. So I think a lot of people are devastated.”
Spokesperson Debby Wilmsen told reporters ‘a lot of people are devastated’
Despite the fire, Tomorrowland organisers said they were still expecting 38,000 festivalgoers at DreamVille, the event’s campsite.
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