Labour donor pledges to DOUBLE donations to Just Stop Oil in next 48 hours

Just Stop Oil protester dragged across road by police officer

A Labour donor has vowed to double any donations to eco-zealots Just Stop Oil in the next 48 hours.

Businessman Dale Vince’s pledge comes amid controversy over funds given to Sir Keir Starmer’s party.

In an email to Just Stop Oil supporters this morning, the founder of the green energy firm Ecotricity said he would double any donations “pound for pound”.

Mr Vince said: “I was on the front page of Monday’s Daily Mail and Radio Four this morning for supporting Just Stop Oil, like that’s a crime or something.

“Along with thousands of others, I am proud to donate vital funds to the cause.

Don’t miss…
Eco-mob strikes again and fills busy London roads as police try to intervene[LATEST]

“I’m inviting you to join me in supporting the brave people who are currently slow marching, causing disruption and risking their freedom to save us from the climate crisis.

“If you give a donation in the next 48 hours I will match it, pound for pound.”

He added that £10 will pay for a high-viz jacket for a protester, £50 will fund a secondhand smartphone “to film a slow march” and £100 “can buy the banners needed to send our message loud and clear”.

It comes as Labour is facing calls to return donations from the green energy entrepreneur.

Mr Vince has given around £1.5 million to Sir Keir’s party over the past decade, according to filings to the Electoral Commission.

Conservative Party chairman Greg Hands wrote to his Labour opposite Anneliese Dodds over the weekend demanding Labour gives back the money.

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

Mr Hands’ letter came after Just Stop Oil activists disrupted the Gallagher Premiership rugby final at Twickenham on Saturday, days after a protest at the Chelsea Flower Show.

He said: “Given these attacks I am calling on you to return these donations.

“I am concerned about the influence of this money given the Labour Party’s decision to vote against tougher measures to stop disruption via the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act.

“I note the Labour Party has already caved into the demands made by the group and announced a halt to new oil, gas and coal projects.”

Shadow international secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds today defended accepting donations from Mr Vince, insisting it does not affect the party’s views on the campaign group.

He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “We have been extremely clear on our views on Just Stop Oil.

“Indeed, Keir Starmer has said of them ‘just go home’ because they are not actually promoting the cause of tackling climate change.

“What they are doing is entirely counterproductive and the only debate it’s provoking is about our public order laws.”

Speaking to the same programme later, Mr Vince said of Just Stop Oil’s disruptive tactics: “Sometimes laws are unjust and when that happens, people have to stand up and do something about it. This climate crisis will be with us for hundreds of years.”

On his donations to Labour, the businessman said: “I think it is a desperate stretch for the right-wing press and Tory MPs actually to be saying there’s a link here, that this money should be given back. The money is not dodgy.”

He said there is “no link” between the money he donated to Labour and the reports claiming the party is considering blocking new oil and gas exploration if it wins the next election.

Mr Vince also said he talked to Sir Keir on the phone last week for the second time and that the two did not discuss the climate activist group.

Source: Read Full Article