Eco-idiots throw TOMATO SOUP on Van Gogh’s Sunflowers at National Gallery, glue themselves to the wall

Just Stop Oil activists have thrown Heinz tomato soup over Vincent van Gogh’s masterpiece ‘Sunflowers’ at the National Gallery in London.

Climate activists clung to the £84m painting during the latest demonstration following a series of eco-warrior stunts this week.

After the protester threw soup on the painting, which has a glass lid, Phoebe Plummer, 21, he shouted: ‘Which is worth more, art or life?

‘Is it worth more than food? More than justice?

‘Are you more concerned about protecting a painting, or protecting our planet and people?

Climate activists threw Heinz tomato soup on Van Gogh’s £84 million painting in the National Gallery earlier today

Phoebe Plummer, 21, is a member of Just Stop Oil – which has been holding major demonstrations in London in recent weeks

“The cost of living is part of the cost of the oil crisis.”

Activist Anna Holland, 20, from Newcastle said: ‘British families will be forced to choose between heating or eating this winter as fossil fuel companies make record profits.

‘But the costs of oil and gas are not limited to our bills. Somalia is now facing an apocalyptic famine, triggered by drought and fueled by the climate crisis.

Millions are forced to relocate and tens of thousands are at risk of starvation. This is the future we choose ourselves as we push for new oil and gas.’

The protesters were surrounded by a group of photographers and journalists when they attacked the painting, before the press was asked to leave by National Gallery Staff.

Shortly afterwards, the police were called to free the climate activists from the wall of the National Gallery.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: “Officers were quickly on the scene at the National Gallery this morning after two Just Stop Oil protesters threw a substance over a painting and then taped themselves to a wall.

“Both have been arrested for criminal damage and aggravated trespass. Officers are releasing them now.’

Just Stop Oil has been holding protests in recent weeks, including blocking roads around Parliament Square as police made dozens of arrests.

After the latest stunt at the National Gallery, the group said: “This is not a one-day event, this is an act of defiance against a criminal government and their genocidal death project.

“Our supporters will return – today, tomorrow and the next day – and the next day after that – and every day until our demand is met: no new oil and gas in the UK.”

The attack on the painting follows large Just Stop Oil demonstrations in London earlier this week, which blocked traffic in the center of the city.

Members of the public begged eco-fans who blocked a busy intersection yesterday, with one woman saying: ‘I have a disabled child who needs to go to school, why are you doing this to people?’

Footage emerged showing 20 Just Stop Oil activists – including ten who had glued themselves to the road – were confronted by irritated motorists at the large roundabout in south London during rush hour.

An irate driver rips a banner from the protesters’ hands as eco-activists yelled to ‘leave him alone’.

Moments later, a woman comes by and begs the group to get out of the way, because she has a disabled child in her car who has to go to school.

You can hear her say, ‘Why are you doing this to people? You’ve made your point’ when an ambulance siren goes off in the background.

The protest, which blocked traffic on St George’s Circus near Waterloo and Elephant and Castle, was the first of two protests staged today by eco-protesters, while another group of protesters later sat down on the road outside Downing Street. .

Fifteen protesters at Whitehall were “occasionally in both lanes” according to Scotland Yard as police liaison officers spoke to the group, who were again holding banners and placards.

20 Just Stop Oil activists – including ten who had stuck to the road – were confronted by annoyed motorists at the large roundabout in South London yesterday during rush hour

A woman (pictured) comes by and begs the group to get out of the way, because she has a disabled child in her car who has to go to school