Patel brands campaigners 'selfish' after blocking M25 for third time this week

Protesters have blocked a section of the M25 for a third time this week.

More than 70 members of Insulate Britain headed back to the M25 to block junction 3, the Swanley interchange, in Kent, with some glueing themselves to the road.

Junction nine at Leatherhead in Surrey, and 28, near Brentwood in Essex, were also targeted on Friday morning. Surrey Police said officers had arrested 14 people at junction nine.

The group are calling for the Government to insulate every home in Britain, 'starting with the homes of the poorest people in the country'.

In a statement Insulate Britain said: "Actions will continue until the government makes a meaningful commitment to insulate all of Britain’s 29 million leaky homes by 2030, which are among the oldest and most energy inefficient in Europe."

Earlier this week the campaigners blocked a number of roundabouts and junctions on the M25 network, including junction 28 in Essex and junction 8 and 10 in Surrey.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps urged Surrey and Kent Police to take "swift action" to stop the "dangerous and counterproductive" protests.

The senior minister said: "We all agree that climate change must be tackled, but this sort of behaviour achieves nothing, puts drivers at risk and increases pollution. I expect the police to take swift action to clear the roads.”

The Home Secretary Priti Patel has branded the groups actions as 'selfish'.

She said: "Peaceful protest is a cornerstone of our democracy and there will always be space for legitimate groups to make their voices heard.

"But this Government will not stand by and allow a small minority of selfish protesters to cause significant disruption to the lives and livelihoods of the hard-working majority.

"The guerrilla tactics used by Insulate Britain detract from their cause and I know the public will agree that the scenes on the M25 this week were completely unacceptable."