Environmental activists arrested after 'locking' themselves to Holyrood in protest of new power plant

Two environmental activist have been arrested after reportedly locking themselves to Holyrood on Thursday in protest of plans to build a new power station in Aberdeenshire.

Two members of Extinction Rebellion Scotland used bicycle D-locks to clamp themselves around the neck to the lattice work at the front of the building, near the public entrance, on Thursday morning.

Police erected a tarpaulin sheet in front of the two women, preventing the public from seeing them shortly afterwards.

The demonstration was in response to plans by Scottish energy firm SSE and Norwegian oil giant Equinor to build a plant next to an existing power plant in Peterhead.

Extinction Rebellion said keys to unlock the protestors were delivered to parliament addressed to First Minister John Sweeney (sic), Gillian Martin MSP, and Alasdair Allan MSP, along with a letter asking them to bring their keys to personally unlock an activist each.

The group believes the three MSPs have the responsibility to decide the future of the proposed plant.

Demonstrators also held placards which read ‘Scotland’s Biggest Climate Polluter – Peterhead Gas’ and ‘Don’t Lock Scotland into Fossil Fuels’.

The pair were allegedly unlocked and taken into police custody.

John Hardy, 41, community organiser, speaking for XR Scotland, said: “Our protest at the Scottish Parliament is about calling for meaningful action against the climate crisis.

“CCS is not the solution it is made out to be; it is a lifeline for oil and gas companies that wish to continue extracting fossil fuels while claiming environmental responsibility.

“We cannot allow our future to be dictated by ‘magical’ technological fixes that merely prolong the fossil fuel era and distract from the urgent need for a rapid and just transition to renewable energy.

“We demand real solutions, not empty promises. Our lives depend on it.”

A spokesperson for SSE Thermal previously said: “With the UK Government committing £22bn to carbon capture, there can be no doubt over its role in delivering net zero. Carbon capture will help to displace older unabated assets and will be absolutely critical if we’re to achieve a clean power system.

“Our planning application, submitted in early 2022, sets out the huge emissions reductions the proposed flexible plant at Peterhead can deliver with the ability to capture at least 90% of emissions.

“In line with evolving planning policy, we are in the process of submitting additional information to the Scottish Government’s energy consents unit.

“We remain fully confident that planning consent will be granted and that a decarbonised Peterhead will help to keep the lights on, unlock a renewables-led system and create and retain good jobs.”

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 11.40am on Thursday, 7 November 2024, we were made aware of a group of protestors on Horse Wynd, Edinburgh.

“Officers attended and two women aged 46 and 69 have been arrested and charged in connection. They have been released on an undertaking to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court at a later date.”