The Lloyd’s building at London’s Lime Street was closed this morning due to a large-scale protest by climate activists. Around 70 protestors from Extinction Rebellion blocked the entrances to the Lloyd’s HQ from 7am on Tuesday 12 April, preventing staff from entering. The intention is to close the Lloyd’s market for the day and to demand that it stops insuring fossil fuel projects.

The protest group’s members used superglue, chains and bike locks, to block over 25 entrances to the building. Staff already inside were allowed to exit. Climbers also scaled the outside of the iconic building and displayed two banners, saying ‘End Fossil Fuels Now’ and ‘Insure Climate Justice’.

Clare Walmsley, a spokesperson from Extinction Rebellion, said: “We’re here to demand an end to all new fossil fuel investments and insurance. By underwriting the world’s most deadly fossil fuel projects, they are creating climate chaos – floods, famine, wildfires and death. Insuring new oil and gas projects in the North Sea will do nothing to solve the cost of living crisis either. Instead, it locks us into a system that’s already pushing millions into poverty.”

The protest is part of a week of action threatened in the capital.

In a statement issued early on Tuesday, Lloyd’s asked staff to stay away from the building and work from home.

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