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M25 protests: Insulate Britain activist storms off Good Morning Britain after comparing movement to Churchill’s stand against fascism

An Insulate Britain activist has stormed off Good Morning Britain after being given a grilling by presenters Richard Madeley and Susannah Reid over the M25 protests.

Liam Norton was questioned over the group’s tactics on Wednesday morning, following days of sit-down protests which have caused chaos for thousands of motorists.

In heart-stopping scenes on Tuesday morning, activists ran in front of lorries after slipping past a small number of police who attempted to drag them back to the hard shoulder near J10 in Woking.

Reid landed some early blows in the debate ridiculing Mr Norton, who has reportedly not insulated his own home because it costs “tens of thousands” to carry out and millions of other people cannot afford it.

Reid said: “Is this the case? You're saying you would risk your life for Insulate Britain but you not going insulate your own home? Sorry if it sounds patronising but it seems that completely sabotages your cause.”

According to reports, energy efficiency stats show his London home is single-glazed, has no cavity wall insulation and uses gas central heating.

Reid asked him again if he was prepared to lose his life during the stunts to raise awareness about having UK’s homes insulated by 2030.

Mr Norton responded: “People are going to lose their lives if nothing is done.”

He was asked whether he was willing to risk the lives of one of his protesters if they were hit by a motorist. “It’s terrible isn’t it?” he said.

But the interview boiled over when the guest compared the Insulate Britain movement to Winston Churchill’s stand against fascism and Adolf Hitler.

“Do you know how many MPs supported Churchill in 1937?”, Mr Norton asked the panel.

“I don’t care,” Madeley replies.

Norton continued: “Six MPs and Churchill was right wasn’t he but only six supported him.”

Mr Norton storming off the set (GMB)
Mr Norton storming off the set (GMB)

The GMB guest host hit back: “You're comparing yourself to Churchill? That is the most twisted parallel I think I have ever heard.”

But the Insulate Britain activist stuck to his guns, saying: “I’m putting myself in a historical situation where the public aren’t always with you but you are still right. And we’re right now. We’re talking about the destruction of our economy and the destruction of our health service.”

Mr Norton then angrily stormed off the set ranting about the “state of things” as Madeley laughed at him.

Panellist Dawn Neesom then made her own comparison by comparing Insulate Britain to terrorists.

Following the interview, justice minister Chris Philp called Mr Norton an “idiot” on Twitter.

“One of the idiots organising the dangerous, disruptive and pollution-causing blockades of the M25 demanding insulation … hasn’t even bothered to insulate his own home,” he wrote.

“He’s only interested in causing disruption to law-abiding citizens and drawing attention to himself.”

The TV altercation came just as a judge granted an injunction against M25 protesters meaning activists will face possible imprisonment.

The Transport Secretary said the injunction will come into effect later on Wednesday.

The government sought the move to stop environmental activists from shutting down the M25 after five days of protests causing massive tailbacks.

Writing for the Daily Mail alongside Transport Secretary Grant Shapps, Ms Patel said the Home Office is working with National Highways to take legal action against the Insulate Britain group in a bid to “ensure they cannot keep disrupting and endangering people’s lives”.

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