Extinction Rebellion protest at Cenotaph on Remembrance Day

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The eco-warriors behind a 'shameful' protest at the Cenotaph this morning have been unmasked as a former private in the British Army and a Buddhist NHS nurse. Widower Donald Bell, 64, and mother-of-two Anne White, 53, were blasted by furious veterans, MPs and the families of fallen soldiers for the climate change stunt that went unchallenged by police. The demonstrators, who were joined by two others, trampled over wreaths and unveiled a banner reading 'Honour Their Sacrifice, Climate Change Means War' on the 100th anniversary of the memorial in central London. Mr Bell led the protest at 8am and held a two-minute silence before hanging his own wreath above ones laid by senior military figures, Royals and politicians at the weekend. But it took the Metropolitan Police at least half an hour to take his down, despite one of their cars being parked within sight of the monument. This was in stark contrast to Sunday when officers pushed Scots Guard veteran bagpiper Ben Buckland to the ground when he marched at the police barricade guarding the memorial. It comes as homes across the UK fell silent in remembrance of the nation's war dead on Armistice Day, as the coronavirus pandemic limited public commemorations. People were asked not to gather at the Cenotaph for Remembrance Day - to stop the spread of Covid-19 - but the brazen XR demonstrators ignored the request. A spokesman for Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the incident 'on today of all days' was 'profoundly disrespectful' while Sir Keir Starmer branded the protest as 'wrong', 'in bad taste and we do not support them'. Tobias Ellwood, who served with the Royal Green Jackets before becoming an MP, said the group was going to 'alienate' people and the Royal British Legion said the day was 'not for political protest'. Mr Bell went to The Netherhall School in Cambridge before studying archaeology at York. As a young infantryman in the British Army, he was hit by shrapnel from an IRA car bomb that killed two soldiers in Stewartstown in 1974. Mr Bell says he completed four tours of duty with the Royal Anglian Regiment. These days, he is fighting climate change. In February, he was seen digging up the lawn at Cambridge's Trinity College and was later arrested after gluing himself to a police van, telling reporters he had been writing letters to the Government for nearly 50 years but was always ignored. He said: 'We had to be more disruptive. I just felt compelled to do something for my children and grandchildren.' There was no response at Mr Bell's ground-floor council flat in Cherry Hinton, on the outskirts of Cambridge, today. But there were multiple signs of his support for the climate change extremists, with XR stickers on the front door, on the walls in common areas, and a poster of a skull with 'Extinction Rebellion' written on it, in one of the windows. Even the washing line had a banner sporting the distinctive XR logo. One neighbour, who asked not to be named, said the widowed soldier was 'a nice chap who would say hello.' 'I knew he was into this kind of activity because I'd seen him in the local paper,' said the neighbour, 'but I don't have a problem with what he believes in, as long as no-one gets hurt.' Mr Bell lives alone after the death of his wife Heather a few years ago. The neighbour did not know what he did for a living after leaving the Army. After the Cenotaph incident, Mr Bell said that he wanted to highlight how climate change could cause more wars in the future. He said: 'I took action today knowing that I would be criticised. I knew that I would be accused of being disrespectful and hated by many for speaking out in this way. 'Remembrance Day is never an easy time for veterans and this was not an easy decision for me to make. But I served this country, I served the people of this country and the action I took today is about just that. 'Unchecked climate change means a return to a world at war. I cannot stand by and let that happen. It is my duty to act. 'This government's own climate advisors, the committee on climate change, said last year that they have a 'Dad's Army' approach to protecting British people from the impacts of climate change. 'Their report in June this year showed that the government has failed to meet all but two of the 31 milestones it set itself for reducing emissions. 'This government is criminally negligent and young people today will pay the price for their failure. I did four tours in Northern Ireland. I have been in conflict. I saw good friends my comrades, who I served with die. 'Many of the people who attend the Remembrance Day Service have never seen the horrors of war. I hope they never have to. 'However you feel about the action today, I want people to take this message if we don't deal with this climate emergency, now, it will lead to war.' Ms White, who has 30 years experience as a health professional, said she had no regrets when quizzed about her actions today. In the centre of Cambridge, her home is an upmarket 600,000 maisonette in a private road within walking distance of the rail station. A man who poked his head out of the first floor window told journalists 'It's nothing to do with me,' -- then threatened to call the police. Ms White said of the protest today: 'Our action today was respectful to those who have lost their lives in past conflicts and aiming to prevent further loss of life in the future.' She compared the climate change emergency as similar to being called to save a patient's life while on duty. She added: 'This is important to me as a nurse because it's my job to promote health and save lives and climate change is already causing deaths all around the world. Many of these are a result of conflict over land, food and resources. 'Climate change is causing wars. By neglecting to recognise that climate change is already causing conflict, we are dishonouring the lives of the soldiers and civilians who lost their lives for the future of humanity in previous wars. 'It's my professional responsibility to raise the alarm in a life threatening emergency and this is happening now. I hope to draw the public's attention to the fact that our own ministry of defence is preparing for conflict as a result of climate change.' Ms White was pictured on Extinction Rebellion Cambridge's Instagram feed, holding one of the group's leaflets titled: 'Power in Truth.' The picture caption added: 'My name is Annie, I'm a Buddhist, a nurse in the NHS with over 30 years service and a mother to my son and daughter.' The post continued: 'I have campaigned about climate change for many years but have seen very few positive changes. 'As a nurse, I am acutely aware of the worsening health effects of climate heating so when Extinction Rebellion started up I chose to join because I believe that non-violent direct action is the only way to raise the alarm about the climate and ecological emergency.' XR said in a post on its website after today's incident: 'The action aims to highlight the connection between rising global temperatures and an increase in the incidence of conflict and war. 'Research commissioned by the Ministry of Defence published in June this year points to a ''growing recognition that climate change may aggravate existing threats to international peace and security''.' It added: 'The action today calls on the government to act to avert the increase in unrest, conflict and war anticipated by the Ministry of Defence report. 'The Committee on Climate Change which advises the government on emissions reduction and reports on their progress revealed in June this year that the government had reached only two of it's 31 milestones and was on track with only four of the 21 indicators identified on the path to zero emissions. 'The action makes the point that, in this context, speaking up about consequences of unchecked warning is an act of remembrance.' The XR protesters put up the banner and wreath without being challenged by police. It was in stark contrast to Remembrance Sunday when Scots Guard veteran bagpiper Mr Buckland, 47, a veteran from Romford, East London, was filmed being pushed to the ground when he marched at the police barricade guarding the Cenotaph. He was seen stumbling backwards before falling to the ground and provoking uproar among other members of the public who were in front of the police line with him. But a separate video has since emerged showing the piper bragging, 'sometimes you have to sometimes create to get what you want' as he admits that 'I actually did it. I provoked them.' Met Police confirmed Mr Buckland, who has worked in security and runs an anti-poaching unit, was arrested on suspicion of common assault on an emergency worker. XR's latest stunt came as homes across the UK fell silent in remembrance of the nation's war dead on Armistice Day, as the coronavirus pandemic limits public commemorations. People were encouraged to pause on their doorsteps or by windows for the traditional two minutes silence at 11am on Wednesday. Covid-19 related-restrictions on gatherings and travel have disrupted remembrance events this year, forcing last weekend's Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph to be scaled back. XR was met with fury among veterans and online as social media users branded the group 'truly shameful'. The PM's spokesman said: 'The Cenotaph is a memorial to those who fought and died to preserve all our freedoms. 'On today, of all days, when we join together to pay tribute to our war dead, this action was profoundly disrespectful.' Asked whether officers should have prevented the stunt, the spokesman said: 'These are operational matters for the police.' A spokesman for The Royal British Legion told MailOnline: 'War memorials and graves honour the memory of every member of the Armed Forces who has made the ultimate sacrifice and deserve to be treated with the utmost respect. 'The Armed Forces community, past and present, have made sacrifices in defence of the freedoms we have today, including the freedom of speech. 'Whilst we respect the right of others to express their opinions within the law, we believe the Poppy Appeal is a time for Remembrance, and not for political protest. 'Armistice Day is a poignant time when millions of people choose to reflect on the human cost of conflict and recognise the service and sacrifice of every member of the Armed Forces, and today in particular we mark 100 years since the return of The Unknown Warrior and all that this act of Remembrance symbolises.' Veterans Minister Johnny Mercer tweeted: 'Climate change matters, but the Cenotaph on Armistice day should be about one thing only - showing our respect for the sacrifice of the fallen who died to protect our freedoms today.' A spokesman for Sir Keir said: 'Today is Armistice Day when the whole country is remembering the sacrifices of those men and women who have fought for our freedoms. 'No one can doubt how serious the climate emergency is. 'But the protests at the cenotaph are wrong, they're in bad taste and we do not support them.' Victoria Cross holder Johnson Beharry told the : 'Today of all days? It is the 11th of the 11th. It is Remembrance Day. They are really disrespecting our fallen. 'If we hadn't sacrificed our lives they would not be able to go and protest today. They should remember that.' Trevor Coult was awarded a Military Cross for his actions during a complex ambush involving a suicide bomber and a machine gun position in Baghdad. The veteran, who was a section Commander during the Iraq invasion 2003 and was deployed four times to Afghanistan, told MailOnline: 'The police are under pressure but I think part of the problem is they are not treating everyone the same. 'I speak to quite a few people about this... but the Met Police have lost their way. The Met do not have the support of the veterans anymore. It is quite sad it's happened because they are usually behind the police.' The former squaddie, who was involved in 178 engagements with enemy forces during his time on the front line and survived three IED explosions, added: 'The vets get treated as second class citizens compared to BLM and Extinction Rebellion.' MP Tobias Ellwood, who served with Royal Green Jackets told the : 'They will alienate the very people they want to persuade by choosing to target the Cenotaph on today of all days. 'While many will support their cause, their tactics deployed here could easily backfire, which is a shame, given it is something that all nations including Britain will turn their attention to with us hosting COP26 [the climate forum]. 'The importance of what the Cenotaph stands for is that pivotal and iconic representation of the sacrifice that has been given for the freedoms we enjoy today.' Brexit campaigner Darren Grimes wrote: 'Truly shameful: Extinction Rebellion have placed a 'climate change means war' wreath upon the Cenotaph. 'These privileged prats seem to be doing all they can to turn public opinion against them.' Another person wrote: 'Truly shameful: Extinction Rebellion have placed a 'climate change means war' wreath upon the Cenotaph. 'These privileged prats seem to be doing all they can to turn public opinion against them.' Another added: 'There is a place and a time....and THIS ISN'T IT. 'Were it not for those who fought & died....these self righteous 'woke' extinction rebellion lot wouldn't even see light or day! 'IT'S THAT SIMPLE! Hence....'NO RESPECT'.' One man commented: 'Extinction Rebellion really know how to lose support for their cause. 'Their members are now designated to the rank of scum. They need a new PR representative.' Twitter user Jake Wright posted: 'I bet London police will do nothing at all about the disgusting behaviour extinction rebellion are doing today with there protest at the cenotaph in London, London protests.' One woman put: 'Extinction Rebellion activists hijack the Cenotaph on Remembrance Day in climate change protest. Are you serious. No Remembrance Day for the rest of us but this is allowed?? You disgust me, shame on you.' Another said: 'Can't believe that bourgeois Extinction Rebellion group hung this 'Climate Change is War' banner on the Cenotaph on Remembrance Day. No respect at all. They should be ashamed.' One account commented: 'Cowardly Scum. Extinction Rebellion activists hijack the Cenotaph on Remembrance Day in climate change protest.' Another said online: 'Can you think of more insult to the nation & to the sacrifices of the dead than the action by those spoilt brats?))Extinction Rebellion activists hijack the Cenotaph on Remembrance Day in climate change protest.' Brian Higginson added: 'Truly shameful: Extinction Rebellion have placed a 'climate change means war' wreath upon the Cenotaph. Pure scum.' The Metropolitan Police said: 'The MPS are aware of a protest at the Cenotaph on Whitehall which occurred at approximately 8am on 11 November. During this, a banner was put up by demonstrators. 'This banner was removed by officers as soon as they became aware of it, within approximately half an hour of it being erected. 'Officers are investigating any breaches of the regulations designed to prevent further spread of Coronavirus. A policing plan is in place throughout London for events to mark Armistice Day.' Veterans were reduced to spending Armistice Day at home today due to coronavirus restrictions across the country. An invitation-only service due to be held at London's Westminster Abbey on Wednesday marked the centenary of the burial of the Unknown Warrior. Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall were among a slimmed-down congregation at the Abbey this morning, where they marked the 100th anniversary of the burial of the Unknown Warrior on Armistice Day. Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer were also seen arriving at the service before the country fell silent at 11am to pay their respects to Britain's war dead. The Household Cavalry had earlier paid their respects to the fallen at the Cenotaph. Because of the threat posed by Covid-19, Britons were encouraged to pause on their doorsteps to observe the traditional two-minute silence. The restrictions on gatherings and travel have disrupted remembrance events this year, forcing last weekend's Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph to be scaled back. Today's televised service is being held to commemorate the funeral of an unknown British serviceman whose body was brought back from Northern France. Laurence Binyon's poem 'For the Fallen', which was first published in 1914, remembers soldiers who lost their lives in the First World War and includes the much-quoted line, 'They shall not grow old as we that are left grow old.' The Unknown Warrior was buried at the west end of the abbey's nave on November 11 1920 to represent all those who lost their lives in the First World War but whose place of death was unknown or body never found. The First World War killed around 745,000 British soldiers, around 12 per cent of those who enlisted. The Daily Mail's 1920 coverage of the day of the Unknown Warrior's burial describes how King George V first unveiled the Cenotaph in Whitehall and 'placed a wreath on it'. The coverage adds that the 'ritual was 'thrilling in its solemnity.' The laying to rest of the soldier was 'the fist time in history that such homage had been rendered to the humble fighting man.' It then continues, 'and none present at the ceremony will ever forget its mingled note of sorrow and triumph' and describes how 'thousands of bereaved mothers and wives' lined the route to the Abbey. The grave was inspired by Reverend David Railton who served as a chaplain on the Western Front during the First World War. During that time he saw a grave marked by a rough cross which bore a note reading, 'An Unknown British Soldier'. He then proposed to the Dean of Westminster, Robert Ryle, that a memorial be created to the fallen who had no known grave. His idea was supported by King George V and the then Prime Minister David Lloyd George. The inscription on the warrior's tomb reads: 'Beneath this stone rests the body Of a British warrior Unknown by name or rank Brought from France to lie among The most illustrious of the land And buried here on Armistice Day 11 Nov: 1920, in the presence of His Majesty King George V His Ministers of State The Chiefs of his forces And a vast concourse of the nation Thus are commemorated the many Multitudes who during the Great War of 1914 1918 gave the most that Man can give life itself For God For King and country For loved ones home and empire For the sacred cause of justice and The freedom of the world They buried him among the kings because he Had done good toward God and toward His house.' Each year the two minutes Armistice Day silence marks the end of that four-year conflict, after an agreement between Germany and the Allies took effect at the '11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month' of 1918. The service and silence is being broadcast live on BBC One from 10:30am and will be lead by the Dean of Westminster, The Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle. It will also feature an address from the Archbishop of Canterbury, The Most Reverend and Rt Hon Justin Welby. Chief of the defence staff, the professional head of the armed forces, General Sir Nick Carter said: 'The burial one hundred years ago of the Unknown Warrior was a seminal moment for the British people. 'To many of those who stood in silence or who made the pilgrimage to Westminster, he was not unknown at all. 'His very anonymity meant that he was the father, husband, son or brother who never came home from the war. 'Today the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior reminds us all that war has a cost and that we should never forget those who sacrificed their lives for our free and open way of life.' Wednesday also marks 100 years since the inauguration of the permanent version of Cenotaph memorial on Whitehall in central London. Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: 'The centenary of the unveiling of the Cenotaph and the burial of the Unknown Warrior are a poignant reminder of the scale of loss suffered in the First World War and the continued importance of coming together as a nation to remember all those who have sacrificed their lives for this country.' Elsewhere on Wednesday, more than 100 poppy wreaths will be placed on board early-morning train services heading to London. Great Western Railway has joined forces with military charities, local authorities and military bases for the 'Poppies to Paddington' operation which will involve nine train services and more than 60 stations on its network. On arrival to Paddington station, the wreaths will be placed at its war memorial on platform one in time for 11am. Towards the end of the day, people are also being encouraged to look to the night sky from their homes in another collective moment of remembrance. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC), which cares for war memorials and cemeteries around the world, is calling on the public to take a moment to look up at the stars at 7pm. CWGC has launched a free online tool on its website allowing people to 'name a star' in tribute to someone who died or served during the two world wars. Powerful searchlights will also be shone into the night sky at 7pm as a symbolic lights of remembrance beamed from the CWGC's Plymouth Naval Memorial, the Brookwood Military Cemetery in Surrey, as well as war grave plots at Cardiff Cathays Cemetery and Edinburgh Rosebank Cemetery. To mark Armistice Day, more than 130 war memorials honouring fallen soldiers are being given The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport has added 132 memorials to the National Heritage List on the advice of Historic England. Among the memorials is one marking 25 local men in Basingstoke, including two brothers who died on the same day. Another on the Isle of Wight was raised in memory of the air raid wardens and ambulance workers who worked to protect the island during the Second World War. Wednesday's service comes after the Queen, Prince Charles and Prime Minister Boris Johnson led politicians and royals who paid their respects to Britain's war dead at the Cenotaph on Sunday. Strict social distancing was in place to allow the ceremony to go ahead as the country remains under a blanket second lockdown amid a second wave of coronavirus. Millions of people across the UK instead privately paid their respects from home, while others did head to their local war memorials for socially-distanced ceremonies. At the Cenotaph, around 10,000 veterans would normally pay their respects, but this year there were just 26 because of the risks presented by Covid-19. As well as Mr Johnson and Labour leader Sir Keir, former Prime Ministers David Cameron, Tony Blair and Theresa May, Chancellor Rishi Sunak, Home Secretary Priti Patel and Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey were among the politicians in attendance. As the clock struck 11am, Mr Johnson, Prince Charles, Prince William and other members of Britain's elite marked the two-minute silence before laying their wreaths. The Queen watched on from the royal box at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office as Prince Charles laid a wreath on her behalf. The Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Edward and his wife the Countess of Wessex, along with Princess Anne, the Princess Royale, were also in attendance. Last week, the Queen made an unannounced visit to Westminster Abbey to commemorate the the centenary of the burial of the Unknown Warrior According to the Court Circular, she was greeted by the Dean of Westminster Abbey, The Very Reverend David Hoyle. The monarch looked sombre in a black ensemble, typically only worn while in mourning, attending a funeral, or for Remembrance Day and Remembrance Sunday services. The Court Circular for November 4 read: 'The Queen this morning commemorated the Centenary of the burial of the Unknown Warrior at Westminster Abbey, London SW1, and was received at the Great West Door by the Dean of Westminster (the Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle).' The Queen has carried out only a handful of engagements since March and is expected to keep a low profile over the next month as she and The Duchess of Cornwall also carried out an engagement at Westminster Abbey before the Queen, standing in for Prince Harry to visit the Field of Remembrance. She then stood in front of crosses from the Graves of the Unknown as the Dean offered prayers, before solemnly laying her own cross of remembrance and bowing her head in reflection. A bugler played the Last Post, followed by a two-minute silence, and then Exhortation to Remembrance, as Big Ben chimed at 2pm. Afterwards the duchess toured the 308 plots filled with more than 60,000 crosses and symbols of all faiths, laid by staff and volunteers, with Surgeon Rear Admiral Lionel Jarvis, President of The Poppy Factory. Remembrance Sunday services, which are traditionally part of communal worship, cannot go ahead as planned on November 8 due to lockdown restrictions. However, rather than being banned entirely the Government has set out a series of guidelines for local authorities and faith leaders hoping to hold the services. Last month XR were blasted for going to Sir David Attenborough's home before being turned away by his daughter who said they were shielding from Covid-19. They delivered a 'starter pack on how to engage in civil disobedience' to his house in Richmond, west , after he warned them not to break the law. They said the 94-year-old's influence and comments 'are contributing to the erasure of the voices and sacrifices of front-line earth protectors around the world'. The four women and two men said they hoped to drop off the delivery in person so it came across 'like a friend to a friend wanting to reach him where he lives'. But they were told by Sir David's daughter Susan he would not open the door amid the coronavirus pandemic. In September protesters blockaded printworks for national newspapers, with one of the demonstrators claiming the Donnachadh McCarthy, 61, emerged as one of the leading figures in the group, and justified the attack by saying: 'This is like World War Two and you guys [the newspapers] are on the other side. That is how we see it. 'It puts you on the side of the existential threat. It is a different existential threat but it is a bigger one than the Nazis.'