Eggar hits out at Greepeace 'terrorism'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A LEADING Government minister has made an astonishing attack accusing Greenpeace of "environmental terrorism, blackmail and a threat to democracy", writes Paul Routledge.
Tim Eggar, minister of state at the DTI, hit out at the pressure group's tactics in a filmed interview with BBC TV, most of which will not be shown.
A transcript suggests that if single-issue groups like Greenpeace managed to frustrate the will of ministers, the Government could opt out of international agreements and act unilaterally.
Mr Eggar said Greenpeace's ability to humble one of Europe's biggest companies (Shell) was "inappropriate, very dangerous. I think the advent of single-issue politics, using what one can only describe as unpleasant threats both to people and to premises, ... poses quite a threat to our democratic way of life."
The Government, Mr Eggar said, had "considerable concern" about the safety of workers who would have to dispose of Brent Spar. Greenpeace's tactics, he claimed, "amounted to environmental terrorism".
The Industry minister said "difficult legal issues" had arisen as a result of Greenpeace's direct action. "I think it will be necessary for the Government to look at them." He described Greenpeace's victory as "a very serious development. It meant that blackmail succeeded against well-proven scientific evidence."
Greenpeace dismissed Mr Eggar's comments as "idiotic". A spokesman said: "People know our commitment to non-violence is as strong as our commitment to the natural world. We reflect people's views and values, and he obviously didn't."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments