More than 70 people have been arrested following protests by climate activists from Extinction Rebellion (XR) outside two printing presses - which prevented the distribution of millions of national newspapers.
Demonstrators blocked access to two print works at Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, and Knowsley, near Liverpool, using vehicles and bamboo lock-ons this morning.
Seventy-two people were arrested across the two locations, police said, and delivery lorries were delayed from leaving.
Image:The move left newspaper stands devoid of some papers on Saturday morning
Image:Police and firefighters dealt with the protest outside the Newsprinters works in Hertfordshire
The Newsprinters presses print the Rupert Murdoch-owned News Corp's titles including The Sun, The Times, The Sun On Sunday and The Sunday Times.
The Daily Telegraph and Sunday Telegraph, the Daily Mail and Mail On Sunday, the London Evening Standard and some Guardian supplements are also printed or processed at the sites.
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Both demonstrations ended around 11am.
The Telegraph says it has made its website free this weekend after the protests.
More from Extinction Rebellion
A statement said: "Production of The Telegraph titles was severely affected.
"Following the assault on the free press, we have made the decision that all the Telegraph journalism published this weekend is now free to read on our website until Monday morning and removed the paywall until then."
The Times apologised to readers in a tweet, saying this morning that it was "working to get newspapers delivered to retailers as soon as possible".
The action meant that hundreds of thousands of people who would normally get The Sun were unable to read an interview with Sir David Attenborough in which he explains why he supports Extinction Rebellion and what Sun readers can do to help reduce climate change.
Newsprinters said it moved the work elsewhere but apologised to newspaper readers affected by the delay.
Image:The Newsprinters presses print titles including The Sun, The Times, The Sun On Sunday and The Sunday Times. Pic: Extinction Rebellion
Image:Vans were blocked from accessing the site
A spokesperson said: "Overnight printing at two Newsprinters plants was disrupted by activity by Extinction Rebellion. Thanks to other industry partners, printing was transferred to other sites...
"This attack on all of the free press impacted many workers going about their jobs. Overnight print workers, delivery drivers, wholesale workers and retail newsagents have faced delays and financial penalty."
That sentiment was echoed by Boris Johnson and Home Secretary Priti Patel, who both called XR's actions "completely unacceptable".
A free press is vital in holding the government and other powerful institutions to account on issues critical for the future of our country, including the fight against climate change.
It is completely unacceptable to seek to limit the public’s access to news in this way.
Meanwhile, Labour MP and former shadow cabinet member Dawn Butler initially tweeted in support of the protesters, but later deleted the post.
Her comment - "Bravo #Extinction Rebellion. Excellent work" - was criticised by other Twitter users, with Labour ex-cabinet minister Andrew Adonis saying: "I utterly disagree with this."
It comes after several days of disruption across London by the group, in a bid to highlight the climate crisis.
Protesters also gathered at another site in Motherwell, but Police Scotland say they were moved on with no arrests made.
Today, the campaign group completed their walk from Brighton to London with their boat "Lightship Greta", named after teenage climate change activist Greta Thunberg.
A procession is due to take place in central London, upon which Met Police have imposed a number of strict conditions.
XR claim the "mainstream media" is controlled by a small number of people, and that news corporations are guilty of "consistent manipulation of the truth to suit their own personal and political agendas".
The group that targeted printers in Hertfordshire put up bamboo structures around the entrance, preventing access to the site.
Image:Deliveries were delayed as a result of the protest
A Sky News producer at the scene said there were lines of vans queued up along the road to the site, waiting to collect newspapers.
Hertfordshire Police said: "Our officers are engaging with the group, which consists of around 100 people, and we are working to facilitate the rights of both the protesters and those affected by their presence."
In a tweet, the force said it had made 42 arrests.
Merseyside Police said 30 arrests had been made there. "Two vans and a boat used to cause obstruction" were removed, a spokesman added.
Extinction Rebellion activist Gully Bujak, 27, said: "You cannot have a functioning democracy with a mainstream media that is ruled by a small, unrepresentative sect of society, who are in bed with politicians and the fossil fuel industry.
"The climate emergency is an existential threat to humanity. Instead of publishing this on the front page every day as it deserves, much of our media ignores the issue and some actively sow seeds of climate denial.
"They thrive off of polarisation and division. They sow hatred in order to distract us, actively profiting from this division.
"To these papers we say this: you will not come between us anymore. For a night we're going to filter out the lies and take the power back. For a night we're going to show the world that you are vulnerable, just like us."
Part of Manchester's city centre was evacuated and cordoned off after a 'suspicious package' was found on a bus, police said.
Greater Manchester Police confirmed that they were called to reports that a 'suspicious item' was found on a bus at 1.15pm today.
Piccadilly Gardens was sealed off and several surrounding roads were closed as a cordon was put in place.
Officers were in attendance and the bus was evacuated as a precaution, the force said in a statement.
Around three hours later, the cordon was lifted and Piccadilly Gardens was reopened.
Piccadilly Gardens in Manchester was evacuated earlier today after a 'suspicious package' was found on a bus, police confirmed
Greater Manchester Police confirmed that they were called to reports that a 'suspicious item' was found on a bus at 1.15pm today
A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said: 'Police are currently responding to an incident in the city centre.
'The bus has been evacuated as a precaution and a cordon remains in place.
'Enquiries are ongoing.'
Manchester and Wigan Stagecoach also confirmed that services that normally use Piccadilly Gardens bus station on Parker Street were diverted.
They said: 'All services that would normally use Parker Street (Piccadilly Gardens bus station) will start the routes from Portland Street (Outside Yates). The services will operate on a load and go basis.
'This is due to a Police incident. Sorry if this affects your journey with us today.
Just after 4pm, they confirmed that Piccadilly Gardens Bus Station has reopened with services operating from 'normal stands'.
'There are also no Metrolink services operating through Piccadilly or Market Street, with trams operating from Exchange Square instead, Manchester Metrolink said.
Transport for Greater Manchester said on Twitter: 'Due to a Police Incident Parker Street, Piccadilly is closed.
'Congestion expected on Portland St, please use an alternative route if possible.'
Around three hours later, the cordon was lifted and Piccadilly Gardens was reopened
Manchester councillor Pat Karney wrote on Twitter that crowds had 'been pushed back from Piccadilly' while four ambulances were among emergency services in attendance
Pictures and videos of the scene have been shared on Twitter, including a number of posts from Manchester councillor Pat Karney.
He said that crowds had 'been pushed back from Piccadilly' while four ambulances and a helicopter were among emergency services at the scene.
He tweeted: 'Suspicious Package on a bus in Piccadilly.
'Major incident response.'
Police have urged people to avoid the area while the ongoing incident is being dealt with.
Councillor Pat Karney said: 'There are four ambulances, numerous police vehicles, a helicopter. All the emergency services. It's a major incident.
'The bus station is cordoned off and all the shops have been emptied. People can't cross Piccadilly so there's a big crowd on Minshull Street.
'The crowds are being pushed back, they are obviously taking every precaution.'
Officers are in attendance and several roads have been closed with a cordon remaining in place
Transport for Greater Manchester said that Piccadilly has closed following the incident. No buses or Metrolink services are operating in the area
Manchester mayor Andy Burnham said the road closures will remain in place while the incident is ongoing, but reassured people it is getting 'all the attention it needs'.
He told BBC North West: 'There are experts on the scene. Until the package has been properly accessed, of course, we will have to keep the road closures in place. It is an ongoing incident, there is not a great deal more I can say at this moment in time.
'But people can be reassured that it is getting all the attention it needs, people are working quickly to resolve it. What I would say to people is obviously to avoid the area for the time-being.'
An eyewitness reportedly told Manchester Evening News: 'The tram stop was cordoned off - there was police tape everywhere. Piccadilly Gardens has been evacuated - mounted police are guarding the scene.'
One person on Twitter added that the cordon had 'blocked off' the roads from Piccadilly Gardens down to Yates.
Boris Johnson has blasted Extinction Rebellion protestersCredit: Nick Obank - The Sun
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The PM said their actions were "completely unacceptable"
Protesters dangled in a contraption outside newsprinters
Protesters in bamboo are taken down by the police today outside the printing works
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Health Secretary Matt Hancock also harshly criticised XR for their actions
The PM tweeted his strong disapproval of the protest today.
He wrote: "A free press is vital in holding the government and other powerful institutions to account on issues critical for the future of our country, including the fight against climate change.
"It is completely unacceptable to seek to limit the public’s access to news in this way."
Health Secretary Matt Hancock also harshly criticised XR for their actions.
"Totally outrageous that Extinction Rebellion are trying to suppress free speech by blockading newspapers," he tweeted.
"They must be dealt with by the full force of the law. Newspapers are already struggling - get out there & buy a paper to support the free press."
It comes as...
Dozens blocked the roads near printworks in Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, Knowsley near Liverpool and close to Glasgow today – halting deliveries of national newspapers.
Newsagents - already hit by the coronavirus pandemic - have been left fearing a downturn in trade as stands were left empty this morning.
Delivery rounds were forced to be scrapped at the 11th hour as newspapers were unable to be released from the printworks.
Police are seen outside the printing works at Broxbourne, Hertfordshire as protesters continue to block roads today
One protester is lead away by police outside the Newsprinters printing works at Broxbourne, Hertfordshire
The eco-group said its aim was to "maintain the block and prevent these papers reaching newsstands" in a bid to “take on the titans of the media industry.”
But The Sun today blasted the demonstration, calling it an “attack on the free press”.
Home Secretary Priti Patel tweeted this morning, saying: "This morning people across the country will be prevented from reading their newspaper because of the actions of Extinction Rebellion.
"This attack on our free press, society and democracy is completely unacceptable."
And Piers Morgan tweeted about Sir David's comment piece for The Sun being prevented from hitting the stands due to the eco-warriors today, saying: "The irony of this is fabulous. Extinction Rebellion are such unutterable morons."
Today, Sir David Attenborough wrote in The Sun to say humanity is at a crossroads, saying: “The fewer demands we make on the planet’s resources, the better.
“We do that in terms of food, in terms of energy, in terms of being respectful to the environment. We can do lots of things.”
The national treasure said: "Humanity is at a crossroads. The natural world is under serious threat and the consequences could be apocalyptic."
Sir David also warned against committing criminal acts, even in the name of a just cause, arguing: “I don’t think it is sensible politics to break the law.
"If you are any good at all, some of your demands will be met and then you will be demanding people abide by those new laws.
“You can’t have it both ways.”
Police used a cherry picker to reach protesters
The demonstrations were slammed as an attack on free speech this morning
A police officer searches a protester
A man in a face covering is led away by police in Knowsley, Liverpool
The protest came despite The Sun featuring Sir David Attenborough in Saturday's paper warning about climate change
The group said they wanted to prevent papers from reaching newsstands
Environmental campaigners blocked the streets last night
A police officer can be seen dealing with protests at Broxbourne in Hertfordshire
Boris Johnson's partner Carrie Symonds today said: "Great piece by Sir David Attenborough in today’s Sun.
"I care about climate change and biodiversity a massive amount but preventing a free press to spread this message further is just wrong. Not to mention all those small businesses that rely on being able to sell newspapers."
The plants hit by last night's demos print The Sun, The Times, Sun on Sunday, The Scottish Sun, Sunday Times, The Daily Mail and London Evening Standard.
One newsagent, Nicky, told Times Radio that she had to lay off the paperboys and girls this morning.
She voiced fears that older customers and those shielding who relied on hard copies would not be able to get their news today.
And another Brit dad took to social media, saying: "Took my lad 4 his paper round this morning at 6.30 & felt sorry for the old folk he delivers 2 who couldn’t be delivered the Sun, Times & Telegraph they were looking forward to.
Another newsagent added on Twitter: "If you’re trying to gain support for your cause, you’re going the wrong way about it! I work nights in a supermarket and then come to run a newsagents, on no sleep, where we now face financial penalties and disruption due to your protests!"
Around 100 protesters - who used bamboo to lock themselves to vehicles in the roads - remain at the sites this morning, with some seen glued to the road and others seen waving “free the truth” signs.
One newsagent, who had to delay 400 deliveries today, told Times Radio it was affecting many elderly readers and those shielding.
Hertfordshire cops said at least 42 people have so far been arrested in connection with the demo.
Meanwhile Merseyside Police said at least 30 people had been arrested at the protest at the News International site on Knowsley Industrial Park.
Priti Patel tweeted that the attack on free press was 'completely unacceptable'
Piers Morgan said the eco group were 'unutterable morons'
Newsagents spoke of their fury over the move
Boris Johnson's fiancee Carrie Symonds labelled the XR move as 'wrong'
Robert Jenrick labelled Extinction Rebellion as an 'intolerant minority'
Extinction Rebellion's demonstrations forced a number of late paper deliveries
Stands were virtually empty this morning
A number of newsagencies were unable to stock papers as the deliveries were prevented by XR
Empty shelves are seen in Manchester
Merseyside Police have made a number of arrests outside Knowsley printing press
Cops are this morning at the scene in Liverpool after the printing press was blocked
Protesters wearing face masks are seen at the demonstration
Hertfordshire Police said in a statement this morning: “We remain in Great Eastern Road, Waltham Cross, after receiving a call at around 10pm last night reporting a protest.
“Our officers have attempted to engage with the group, which consists of around 100 people, in order to ensure the rights of both the protestors and those affected by their presence."
Assistant Chief Constable Owen Weatherill said officers had been called to reports of a protest involved about 10pm.
He said: "This remains a fast-moving operation, involving assistance from neighbouring forces. The inconsiderate actions of a few people have prevented businesses from operating.
"Protestors ignored our requests to move location, so we have taken robust action to enable the roads to be reopened and to remove the protestors causing obstructions.
“Throughout the night, officers have worked relentlessly to ease disruption and their efforts have ensured that all main roads, including the nearby A10, have remained open throughout the incident.
"We remain at the scene and are doing all we can to ensure the situation is dealt with as quickly as possible, and we anticipate that further arrests will take place throughout the morning as we continue to clear the obstructions.”
'DISAPPOINTED CUSTOMERS'
NEWSAGENTS today revealed they faced queues of disappointed customers unable to get their morning paper after the eco-activist protests.
Deliveries were delayed this morning due to the demonstrations - leaving newsagents frustrated.
Barbara Etchells, who owns C&W Etchells newsagents in Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester, said The Sun was finally delivered at 10am.
The 46-year-old said: "The phone has been ringing off the hook with people trying to find out where their paper is."
"We've had a lot of disappointed people."
Serving behind the counter at the shop, Hezin Rasheedy, 40, said: "We've had a lot of people come in to buy The Sun but it's just no there.
"Some have been scratching their heads looking at the empty shelves."
Meanwhile Neelesh Parekh, 45, owner of Reed News in Portsmouth, said: “We haven’t received the Sun, Times and telegraph. I’m very angry. Our customers rely on the papers, especially on a Saturday when people come in very early in the morning and they expect to buy the paper.
"The protests that Extinction Rebellion is carrying out are ridiculous. We don’t know how long the protests are going to continue. We’ve just got to hold our breath really."
Minister for Digital Infrastructure Matt Warman added: "Disgraceful behaviour - again! - from Extinction Rebellion."
Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood told Times Radio Extinction Rebellion had "lost sight of how to campaign".
He added: "The Government has done much itself but obviously could do more and we need to work with the people to get that message across so we all can be more aware of the carbon footprint that we create.
"But what they're doing here is to alienate more people. I fear the organisation itself has been hijacked."
Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick branded the Extinction Rebellion protesters as an "intolerant minority", saying: "A free press matters to all of us who value a free society. They mustn't be silenced by an intolerant minority."
Industry partners are helping to ensure printing capacity is made available for all affected titles so readers have been urged to check back for their paper later today.
ATTACK ON FREE PRESS
Last night's protests, which have continued into this morning, is the fifth day of action across the UK planned by the extremist group.
Ex-organic farmer Roger Hallam criticised the people "who run society" - saying they were "culpable" for the climate catastrophe.
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Protesters lay on the ground as cops watch outside Buckingham PalaceCredit: AFP or licensors
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Large groups gathered outside the palace in scenes of chaos in the capitalCredit: Rex Features
A campaigner is seen with a covered face during the protests last night
A spokesperson for Newsprinters said: "Overnight printing at two Newsprinters plants was disrupted by activity by Extinction Rebellion.
"Thanks to other industry partners, printing was transferred to other sites. We apologise sincerely to any readers of The Sun, The Times, the Daily Mail, the Daily Telegraph and the Financial Times who may be unable to buy their usual newspaper this morning due to late deliveries.
"Our teams are working to get newspapers delivered to retailers as soon as possible this morning.
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"This attack on all of the free press impacted many workers going about their jobs.
"Overnight print workers, delivery drivers, wholesale workers and retail newsagents have faced delays and financial penalty.
"This is a matter for the Police and the Home Office."
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