ECO-YOBS who try and disrupt this weekend’s British Grand Prix could end up costing lives, the Deputy Prime Minister has warned.
Oliver Dowden last night demanded Just Stop Oil activists end their extremely dangerous “selfish stunts”.
Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden has warned eco-yobs could cost lives with their dangerous stunts at major sporting events
There are fears eco-yobs will try and ruin the Grand Prix taking place at Silverstone on Sunday
The Deputy PM met with Formula One boss Stefano Domenicali at an anti-Just Stop Oil summit in Downing Street yesterday.
Rishi Sunak and Home Secretary Suella Braverman also joined, alongside sporting body chiefs and cops.
The leaders discussed how to crackdown on eco-yobs ruining major events.
Mr Domenicali raised serious concerns about protestors disrupting Sunday’s major race at Silverstone.
The F1 chief warned yobs could perform “dangerous” stunts that would ruin the day for thousands of fans and put drivers at serious risk of injury.
F1 cars speed across the track at a whopping 200mph.
Mr Domenicali told Sky Sports: “There’s a way of showing what you want to do but this is totally unacceptable, so we really hope that people understand it’s not the place.
“I can speak for our drivers, George Russell and Lewis Hamilton – they wouldn’t want to have anybody being at risk; spectators, fans or themselves.
“That is not the place to take big risks. You’re not blocking anybody but you’re seriously putting people at harm.”
Echoing the racing chief, Mr Dowden said: “I spoke to the F1 boss about this (yesterday) in No10.
“He’s right in saying track protests this weekend could be extremely dangerous and put lives at risk.
“It’s time for Just Stop Oil to just stop the selfish stunts.”
It comes as the PM this week urged police and sports chiefs to be more like England cricket star Jonny Bairstow when tackling climate protesters ruining a summer of stadium action.
Writing in Trending In The News, Mr Sunak urged event organisers to channel the spirit of wicketkeeper Bairstow, who “coolly carried away a Just Stop Oil eco-zealot” who invaded the playing area.
He said: “As Bairstow showed at Lord’s, people want an end to this disruption. And I will work with the police and the sporting authorities to ensure we do stop it.”
Sports minister Lucy Frazer also urged cops to use powers they already have to do more to tackle guerrilla protests at big events.
Declaring war on “miserable” climate groups like Just Stop Oil and Extinction Rebellion, the PM also slammed Sir Keir Starmer for being in cahoots with XR protesters in Labour-run Wales, while publicly claiming to disapprove of climate extremists.
