Tree surgeon who scaled Big Ben during XR protests cites ‘climate change anxiety’

A tree surgeon who scaled Big Ben in a leotard and Boris Johnson wig claimed he was suffering from ‘climate change’ anxiety when he appeared barefoot in court to deny trespassing – but a magistrate hit back saying he was really suffering from ‘Extinction Rebellion psychosis.’

Benjamin Atkinson spent three hours on the scaffolding at Queen Elizabeth Tower last October after unfurling a rainbow flag which read: ‘No pride on a dead planet’. 

The 43-year-old spoke to confirm his name, address and deny a single trespass charge at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.

An Extinction Rebellion activist wearing a ‘Boris Johnson’ blond wig climbed the scaffolding surrounding the Elizabeth Tower which houses Big Ben and unfurled two banners

Prosecutor David Burns said: ‘It is alleged that he ignored warning signs about entering the premises and climbing the tower and unfurling two Extinction Rebellion flags.’

Atkinson stood in the dock barefoot and declined invitations to sit down during proceedings.

His solicitor Jenny Winter indicated he intends to argue necessity in his defence and will call witnesses to give evidence on his suffering from ‘climate change anxiety’.

Chief Magistrate, Lady Emma Arbuthnot: ‘No, no, no, this is about climbing a tower, necessity is saving life or preventing immediate injury, necessity is a very narrow defence. The court may not allow you to rely on it.’ 

Lady Arbuthnot described his so called climate change anxiety as ‘Extinction Rebellion psychosis.’

Crowds had gathered at Westminster during the three hour stunt at 3:30pm on 18 October last year.

Atkinson, of Rydal, Cumbria, denies trespassing on a designated protected site under the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 and will return for trial on 14 April

Extinction Rebellion environmental activist Ben Atkinson leaves Parliament under arrest after free climbing the Big Ben clock tower and dropping banners

While on the scaffolding he told Sky News by phone: ‘I don’t think Boris is doing his job properly – he needs to get past Brexit and start thinking about the sixth mass extinction event that’s happening as we speak.’

Atkinson, of Rydal, Cumbria, denies trespassing on a designated protected site under the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 and will return for trial on 14 April.

The maximum sentence for the offence is six months jail and or a fine not exceeding £5,000.

Speaking outside court, Atkinson said he wore a costume ‘to make it obvious that this was not a terrorist incident occurring’.

The father-of-two is a tree surgeon and runs a ‘glamping’ campsite in Cumbria.

Pictured: Ben Atkinson detained by police after climbing Westminster Tower to display an Extinction Rebellion banner

Ben Atkinson is watched by police officers after climbing scaffolding on Big Ben at the Houses of Parliament in Westminster

‘I don’t wear shoes in general,’ he said. ‘I put shoes on for the action, those that know me asked ‘why were you wearing shoes?”

‘I was there, I did what you say I did, but my necessity overrides my legal right to protest. The necessity is political, environmental and personal.’

‘The timing was that it came at the and when the Metropolitan Police had made a one week ban of all Extinction Rebellion protests that was found to be illegal in the High Court.

‘That is the testament that is was necessary for me to scale up the level of protest. In a way I’m saying everybody is insane not to be experiencing this anxiety.

‘I’m fully aware of the climate crisis that we’re in, we’re fundamentally committing suicide as a species.’