Just Stop Oil called the Workington MP a “climate criminal” during a Maryport protest – Mark Jenkinson has responded.

On Friday, March 15, a group of around ten Just Stop Oil supporters gathered outside Jenkinson’s constituency officeto protest the climate crisis.

Protesters held signs and fastened a list of Mark Jenkinson’s alleged “climates crimes” to his office windows – which were subsequently removed by a staff member.

One of those who took part in the protest was Fiona Atkinson, 68, a retired teacher from Kendal.

She said: “As a grandma I feel for all the parents and grandparents in Cumbria who don’t want this mine on their doorstep because they know the last thing any of us need right now is more filthy fossil fuels.

“Burning them kills eight million people a year and adds to the carbon that’s overheating our only home. 

“Mark Jenkinson refuses to deal with the reality of climate breakdown even though it’s clearly happening everywhere including right here in Cumbria.

“A new coal mine is a crime against humanity and going all out for it makes him a climate criminal. As an MP he is required to act in the public interest – it’s time for him to realise that means no new coal.”

Another protester was Margaret Reid, 53, a retail worker from Kendal, who said: “Mark Jenkinson is a climate criminal and climate crisis denier right here on our own doorstep in Cumbria.

“He’s consistently pursuing climate-wrecking policies which will bring misery to the very local communities that he’s meant to protect. 

“I just can’t listen to his lies and bluster any longer – and we simply can’t afford to keep listening to people like him either, with climate breakdown happening all around us right now.

“It’s time to call him out on the consequences of his actions. We’re the sane ones here – he’s the dangerous extremist.”

The Workington MP has accused the climate change protestors of “rank hypocrisy” after they drove to his constituency office in Maryport to speak with him.

However, he was more than 300 miles away in Westminster at the time.

In response,Mark Jenkinson MP said: “Had these Middle Class clowns rang ahead, I would have been able to spare them the trip and protect the planet from the harmful emissions they caused by driving here needlessly in their diesel cars.

“There were about 12 of them – and I have it on good authority that this mob did not come here on the bus, or by train, and they certainly didn’t come in a single car. 

“They tried to get into the office and demanded to be seen. When they were told that no one was available, they plastered childish slogans on the window before driving back to Kendal, Cloud Cuckoo Land – or wherever.

“This is the sort of rank hypocrisy we have come to expect from these nutters.”

The MP went on to say: “It is a typical case of ‘Do as I say, not as I do’. This organisation attracts the sort of imbeciles who glue themselves to roads, pour soup on priceless paintings, blockade businesses, and damage private property – all because they cannot accept someone’s right to have a different opinion. 

“These enemies of democracy do not live in the real world – and they would prefer to spend their time harassing my staff who are trying to help people. These protestors should get a job.

“The claims in their press notice are also utter nonsense.  I did not refuse to engage. I wasn’t here. I have previously had meetings with at least one of the protestors in which I explained the environmental benefits of the coking coal mine, but there are none so blind as will not see.”

“As a Conservative MP, I have voted for some of the strongest environmental legislation in the world, including the landmark Environment Act. 

“It is the case that I am in favour of the Cumbrian coal mine, to support UK steelmaking and reduce the UK’s carbon footprint, mitigating the need to import coking coal from overseas and curbing our reliance on hostile foreign states. 

“The UK is a world leader when it comes to environmental protection and JSO would do well to focus their efforts on positive action rather than intimidating my staff.”

While Mark Jenkinson MP was in Westminster it was his constituency staff that were in the office.

A member of his staff said the protestors were “disruptive” to their daily duties and took down the protesters signs.