Just Stop Oil has hit out at “lies” accusing them of targeting the Cenotaph after dozens of protesters were arrested after bringing traffic near Downing Street to a halt.
A stream of politicians including Tory party deputy chairman Lee Anderson accused the group of targeting the war memorial on Monday.
But activists said they had been moved to the base of the monument after shutting down traffic on Whitehall, an account supported by one officer at the scene.
A mother-of-one lying cuffed on the base of the memorial told the PA news agency: “They arrested us in the road and we were dragged to the pavement and then back over here.”
One officer added to PA that the protesters had been moved to the site “to get them off the road”, adding: “It was for their own safety, obviously it’s quite a busy road.”
Mr Anderson said that JSO were “now stuck to the Cenotaph” as he shared a picture on social media site X.
“Simple solution here. Give them stronger glue and leave them there till Sunday,” the MP added.
Labour’s shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper added: “Targeting the Cenotaph is totally unacceptable. Full support for the police in taking necessary enforcement action.”
JSO accused Mr Anderson of “tweeting lies about protesters being glued to the Cenotaph”.
“The reality is that they were dragged off the road and arrested by police for protesting in the street, under legislation his corrupt party introduced,” the group said in response to his message.
JSO demanded an apology from Ms Cooper, adding: “These are peaceful protesters marching towards Parliament Square, arrested under anti-protest laws and dragged off the road. Why won’t you speak out about that?”
A JSO spokesman said: “We have not targeted the Cenotaph. The police moved people there when they were being arrested.”
Related: Just Stop Oil protesters smash glass protecting Suffragette painting
