Now Just Stop Oil invade HARRODS: Security guards swoop as eco-zealots occupy sofas

Now Just Stop Oil invade HARRODS: Security guards swoop as eco-zealots occupy £28,000 bed at the ‘top people’s store’ (but remember to take their shoes off first)

  • The group of female protesters entered the Knightsbridge store at around 1pm
  • Two unfurled themselves onto a sofa while another two climbed into a bed
  • It comes on the day 50 Harrods workers are on strike over a pay dispute
  • The luxury store is also owned by Qatar, one of the world’s biggest oil producers 

Just Stop Oil eco-zealots have been marched out of Harrods after launching a protest inside the central London department store.

In video footage shared online, a team of security guards can be seen rushing towards two female protesters who had unfurled themselves on a sofa for sale. 

One can be heard shouting ‘get up, get out!’ as he warns them they will be trespassing if they do not leave of their own accord. 

Elsewhere in the luxury store, based in Knightsbridge, two protesters climbed into a £28,000 bed – although they were careful to take their shoes off first. 

Elsewhere in the luxury store, based in Knightsbridge, two protesters climbed into a £28,000 bed – although they were careful to take their shoes off first

They held up signs reading ‘end fuel poverty now’ and ‘oil equals death’  

Just Stop Oil said: ‘At around 1pm, 4 #JustStopOil supporters briefly occupied beds and sofas in @Harrods to demand that the #Government Just Stop Fuel Poverty by insulating homes and ending our reliance on expensive, dangerous and dirty fossil fuels.

‘They were rapidly escorted out of the store by around 20 security guards.’

The eco-mob said they had launched today’s action in solidarity with Fuel Poverty Action’s Energy For All campaign, as well as the Don’t Pay UK movement, which encourages homeowners to not pay their energy bills amid surging costs. 

They are thought to have chosen Harrods to show solidarity with its striking workers who cannot afford their energy bills. 

The store is also owned by the Qatari state, one of the biggest oil producers in the world. 

Moment two female Just Stop Oil protesters are escorted from inside Harrods by security guards

Moment two female Just Stop Oil protesters are escorted from inside Harrods by security guards 

One guard (pictured) can be heard shouting 'get up, get out!' as he warns protesters they will be trespassing if they do not leave of their own accord

One guard (pictured) can be heard shouting ‘get up, get out!’ as he warns protesters they will be trespassing if they do not leave of their own accord

Protester holds up sign telling PM Rishi Sunak to 'insulate Brits' leaky homes!'

Protester holds up sign telling PM Rishi Sunak to ‘insulate Brits’ leaky homes!’ 

Protesters get comfortable as they lay down on a sofa inside the Harrods store

Protesters get comfortable as they lay down on a sofa inside the Harrods store 

It comes after Harrods hired agency staff to replace security guards and CCTV operators in a bid to break the pay strike, which it was allowed to do under a new union-busting law passed this summer. 

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said yesterday: ‘The Qatari state has rightly been condemned for the way workers have been treated in that country. Now it is embroiled in a row over the way workers are being treated in this one.

‘Harrods believes using this disgraceful new law is to its advantage, but it is just making the dispute worse and dragging more parties into it. 

‘Our members are undaunted and they have the full backing of Unite behind them.’

Just Stop Oil protester lays on sofa holding up signs reading 'just stop oil... just start insulation'

Just Stop Oil protester lays on sofa holding up signs reading ‘just stop oil… just start insulation’

Two Just Stop oil members tuck themselves into a £28,000 bed in Harrods during a protest on Saturday

Two Just Stop oil members tuck themselves into a £28,000 bed in Harrods during a protest on Saturday 

It comes after Harrods (pictured) hired agency staff to replace security guards and CCTV operators in a bid to break their workers' pay strike, which it was allowed to do under a new union-busting law passed this summer

It comes after Harrods (pictured) hired agency staff to replace security guards and CCTV operators in a bid to break their workers’ pay strike, which it was allowed to do under a new union-busting law passed this summer

More than 50 Harrods staff are walking out over what they say is a ‘pay cut dressed up as a rise.’ 

They have already held strikes on November 25 and are holding strike action today, tomorrow and on December 11, 17, 18, 23, 24, and 26.

In a press release, Unite Union said: ‘Harrods made a profit of £51 million in 2021/22 and doubled the pay of its managing director Michael Ward to £2.3 million, even though the company claimed nearly £6 million under the government’s Covid furlough scheme.’

MailOnline has contacted Harrods for comment.  

***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk