A GP from Bristol was among the Just Stop Oil protesters who forced a stoppage in play during Saturday’s Gallagher Premiership final at Twickenham. Two men invaded the pitch midway through the first half of the match between Saracens and Sale, throwing orange paint powder on to the field.
Twickenham Stadium later confirmed two men had been arrested and that the incident is now a police matter. Fans jeered the duo before cheering as stewards escorted them from the stadium. Orange powder remained on the field as the match resumed.
Following the incident, a statement from Just Stop Oil said the men involved in the protest were Dr Patrick Hart, 37, a GP from Bristol and Sam Johnson, 40, a construction worker from Essex. Dr Patrick Hart said in a pre-prepared statement: “I am doing this because it’s my duty as a doctor. The climate crisis is the greatest health crisis humanity has ever faced. People are dying now and more will die every day unless we stop new oil, gas and coal.
