UNMASKED
Extinction Rebellion protester who helped soldier hijack Cenotaph on Remembrance Day is Buddhist NHS nurse mum-of-two
THE Extinction Rebellion protester who helped a former soldier hijack the Cenotaph this morning has been unmasked as a Buddhist NHS nurse.
Anne White, 53, teamed up with widower Donald Bell, 64, to stage the controversial protest which has been slammed by furious veterans and the Prime Minister.
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The pair unveiled a banner which read "Honour Their Sacrifice, Climate Change Means War" and placed it next to the iconic memorial in central London.
They sparked anger among war veterans as their climate change banners were unveiled just hours before the official Armistice Day ceremony.
Mr Bell, who served in four tours in Northern Ireland, led the protest and laid a wreath of poppies with the message "Act Now" written on it at 8am.
Cops removed the wreath from the Cenotaph 30 minutes later.
The PM slammed the stunt, and his official spokesman said: “The Cenotaph is memorial to those who fought and died to preserve all our freedoms.
NHS NURSE
"Today of all days, when we join together to pay tribute to our war dead, this action was profoundly disrespectful."
However, Ms White – who has 30 years of NHS health care experience - said she had no regrets about the protest today, reports .
She said that tackling climate change was similar to saving a patient’s life in hospital.
She said: “Our action today was respectful to those who have lost their lives in past conflicts and aiming to prevent further loss of life in the future.
“This is important to me as a nurse because it's my job to promote health and save lives and climate change is already causing deaths all around the world.
“Climate change is causing wars. It's my professional responsibility to raise the alarm in a life threatening emergency and this is happening now.”
On the group’s Instagram, she described herself as being a “Buddhist” and a "nurse in the NHS with over 30 years service".
This is important to me as a nurse because it's my job to promote health and save lives and climate change is already causing deaths all around the world."
Anne White
Their protest sparked fury among the British public, with people branding the eco-warriors "scum".
Scotland Yard commissioner Cressida Dick has now announced an urgent review into how the protesters were able to drape their banner today.
It came as homes across the UK fell silent in remembrance of the nation's war dead on Armistice Day with the pandemic limiting public commemorations.
Millions of people were told to pause on their doorstops and not to gather at the Cenotaph - but the brazen eco-warriors ignored the pleas.
Victoria Cross holder Johnson Beharry slammed protesters for disrespecting his fallen comrades.
The war hero told The Sun: "Today of all days? It is the 11th of the 11th. It is Remembrance Day. They are really disrespecting our fallen.
"If we hadn't sacrificed our lives they would not be able to go and protest today. They should remember that."
Colour Sgt Beharry was on his way to Westminster Abbey for a special service to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the burial of the Unknown Warrior.
SPARKED FURY
The remains of a British soldier were brought back from the Western Front two years after the end of the war to represent the half a million soldiers who were lost or unidentified at the end of World War One.
He told The Sun: "There is a time and a place for everything. Yes, they have a campaign and a reason to protest.
"But I would not have chosen a day like today, which is actually Remembrance Day to disrespect our fallen like that."
Others slammed the group online. One person wrote: "Truly shameful: Extinction Rebellion have placed a ‘climate change means war’ wreath upon the Cenotaph.
"These privileged prats seem to be doing all they can to turn public opinion against them."
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Private Bell served during The Troubles, and wanted to warn that a global climate crisis could lead to more armed conflicts.
He said: "I took action today knowing that I would be criticised.
"I knew that I would be accused of being disrespectful and hated by many for speaking out in this way.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
"Remembrance Day is never an easy time for veterans and this was not an easy decision for me to make.”
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The pair unveiled a banner which read "Honour Their Sacrifice, Climate Change Means War" and was placed next to the iconic memorial in central London.
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British Armed Forces veteran Donald Bell explains why he took part in Extinction Rebellion's hijack protest at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Day
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