Euston HS2 protest: Final activist removed from tunnels - and raises a peace sign

Crowds gathered nearby cheered and shouted "we love you Bradley" as the man was transferred to an ambulance.

Friday 26 February 2021 12:38, UK

The final anti-HS2 protester flashes a V-sign from the back of an ambulance
Image: The final anti-HS2 protester has spent more than a month underground
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The final anti-HS2 activist from a group who had spent at least a month underground in a network of tunnels has been removed.

As the man, known as Bradley, emerged from the site under London's Euston Square Gardens and was transferred to an ambulance, he raised two fingers in a peace/victory sign.

A crowd gathered nearby cheered and shouted "we love you Bradley".

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16-year-old Rory Hooper - the son of veteran environmental campaigner Swampy - joined the protest

The network of tunnels near the London station was dug in secret by protesters objecting to the redevelopment of the area as part of the high-speed railway line.

They were first discovered in their underground bunker on 26 January.

But on Friday, HS2 Limited, the government-owned company building the project, said the final person had been taken out of the site.

A total of nine protesters have been removed.

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Dr Larch Maxey, who spent 27 days underground, said: "We've helped to shift awareness of the climate and ecological emergency, really taken things to a new level and also awareness of HS2 and its role in accelerating that."

Undated handout video grab issued by HS2 Rebellion of a protester known as 'Larch' in part of a 100ft tunnel network dug in secret under Euston Square Gardens in central London, which they claim is at risk from the HS2 line development. Issue date: Tuesday January 26, 2021.
Image: Larch Maxey pictured in part of the 100ft tunnel network dug in secret under Euston Square Gardens

Dr Maxey added that Bradley, would feel "very proud, I should think, and relieved and grateful for being back up top".

HS2 Limited said in a statement: "HS2 staff, our agents and the emergency service personnel have acted with safety as their utmost priority, risking their own lives in order to ensure the wellbeing of those who placed themselves in such a dangerous situation underground."

HS2 Rebellion protesters in a tree, part of an encampment in Euston Square Gardens in central London, where the protesters have built a 100ft tunnel network, which they are ready to occupy, after claiming the garden is at risk from the HS2 line development. Picture date: Wednesday January 27, 2021.
Image: The project has been met with anger from environmentalists

The firm insisted it "accepts the right to peaceful protest" but accused activists of putting "additional pressure" on the NHS and police and fire services during the coronavirus pandemic.

It also claimed its staff and agents were "subject to numerous incidences of violence and criminal activity during this operation, including alleged theft and assault".

The statement added: "Instead of wasting public resources on illegal actions, we urge environmental organisations to support a project that will help cut the number of cars and lorries on our roads, cut demand for domestic flights and help the country's fight against climate change."

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