Extinction Rebellion (XR) activists stormed a meeting of energy giant Shell in London on Tuesday morning forcing it to be put on hold.
Shareholders from the oil giant had gathered at Methodist Central Hall in Westminster for their UK annual general meeting.
XR said they wanted to prevent the meeting from taking place, while Shell UK confirmed it had been temporarily put on hold until the activists had been ejected.
Chairman Sir Andrew Mackenzie was forced to call off the meeting after it was continuously interrupted by protesters who staged a flashmob and glued themelves to chairs.
“Shell must fall,” the protesters repeatedly chanted.
Sir Andrew asked police to remove the protesters from the meeting hall, but said the process would take around 20 minutes.
“It’s clear that none of you are prepared to allow me to continue to conduct the meeting,” he said. “Because you have refused to stop I have now asked the police to come and restore order. You have given me no alternative.”
A Shell UK spokesperson added: “We respect the right of everyone to express their point of view and welcome any engagement on our strategy and the energy transition which is constructive.
“However, this kind of disruption at our AGM is the opposite of constructive engagement.
“We agree that society needs to take urgent action on climate change. Shell has a clear target to become a net zero emissions business by 2050.”
XR accuses Shell of planning to grow its fossil gas business by 20 per cent in the coming years, including a new gas field in the North Sea known as ‘Jackdaw’.
One demonstrator, student Aidan Knox, said: “Shell’s executives will do anything to keep profits flowing from oil and gas.
“Claims of going green from Shell’s executives and shareholders are just another cynical way to delay urgent climate action, while they take home fat bonuses.”
Joanna Warrington, an activist from campaign group Fossil Free London, said: “We can tackle the climate crisis and the cost of living scandal, but Shell is standing in the way.
“It’s pushing ahead with reckless oil and gas projects that would take us far beyond safe climate limits, like the controversial Jackdaw gas field.
“As millions of people struggle to pay bills, Shell rakes in record profits by keeping energy prices high and paying zero tax on its UK oil and gas.”
The protest is the latest in a string of companies to be targeted by the eco-activist group this year.
XR protesters from its Money Rebllion branch have also disrupted Barclays and Standard Chartered’s annual general meetings.
The Metropolitan Police have been contacted for comment.
