Police have arrested two women after climate protesters threw red paint on the entrance to the Scottish Parliament building in Edinburgh.
Activists from protest group This Is Rigged, which is opposed to further North Sea oil exploration, have claimed responsibility for the act – the latest in a series of stunts the group has carried out on the day of First Minister's Questions. Edinburgh Live reports that the protestors targeted the Holyrood building itself after previous attempts to disrupt FMQs in the chamber prompted security to be tightened inside.
In a video posted to the outfit's TikTok account, police can be seen hauling protesters away after the walls of the building were coated in paint. One protester can be heard saying: "We have no time, the Government is not listening."
They added: "The [Scottish Government] has picked a side and it is not ours. We are in a position where we are fighting for our survival."
Officers can be heard asking the protestors to stand up, which they refuse to do. One activist was then carried from the scene by four police officers, each carrying an arm or a leg.
The group has previously stated its opposition to the Rosebank North Sea oil project, which is managed by the UK Government rather than the devolved administration. It has carried out other disruptive acts outside of FMQs, including the destruction of a display case at the Wallace Monument that holds William Wallace's sword.
Police Scotland said: "Two woman, 26 and 23, have been arrested and charged in connection with vandalism and a breach of the peace after paint was thrown at the Scottish Parliament building during a protest in Edinburgh this afternoon. A report will be sent to the Procurator Fiscal."
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