This week, they also blocked the entrance to Selfridge’s in nearby Oxford Street to demonstrate against clothes production, which they claim is damaging the environment. Protesters daubed themselves and the pavement with a black substance to represent an oil spill.

Elsewhere, demonstrators in Leicester Square spent a night glued to McDonald’s as part of an action to persuade the fast food chain to switch to a fully plant-based food menu by 2025.

Cllr Rachael Robathan, leader of City of Westminster Council, said: “We completely support the right of any group to demonstrate peacefully and highlight their cause. However, this kind of disruption not only damages the livelihoods of our residents and visitors, but also poses a huge challenge to our businesses and cultural institutions which have suffered immensely over the past 18 months.

“It is crucial that these protests are well managed to keep disruption to a minimum and improve access for our residents, businesses and visitors so they feel welcome and safe in the city”.

Group founder’s electric car fundraiser

One of the group’s founders this week called for a “crowdfunder” to pay for her to get an electric car after admitting she drove a diesel vehicle.

Dr Gail Bradbrook suggested the public should contribute to the £5,000 she would need to upgrade her vehicle so it was more eco-friendly.

Her comment came after she admitted driving an environmentally damaging diesel car because she cannot afford to buy an electric one.

An Extinction Rebellion spokesman said: “As Westminster Council will confirm, the £50,000 figure was a ‘service’ cost, meaning the total cost of council services that were temporarily redeployed during our two-week October 2019 protests. There was no additional money spent by the council and no additional cost to the taxpayer.

“The 120 tonnes of rubbish collected took place over a two-week period. To put that figure into comparison, during London’s New Year celebrations 2016-17, Westminster cleared up 85 tonnes of rubbish from just one night.

“As anyone who has been to an Extinction Rebellion protest will know, we are scrupulous about clearing up after ourselves and ask rebels to respect the spaces they’re in and take their rubbish home. Why don’t you come down and see for yourself?”