A CLIMATE change protester who covered himself in fake blood at the Museum of Natural History was ‘acting alone’, according to protest group Extinction Rebellion.

The protest group, which staged a week-long series of demonstrations in London, was at the Westgate Centre on Saturday and at a number of other locations.

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Jo Gill, spokeswoman for the Oxford branch of Extinction Rebellion, said: “We had intended to do something at the museum but in the end we decided to go elsewhere. This man wasn’t acting on our behalf.”

Oxford Mail:

A 21-year-old history student, at Oxford University’s Lincoln College, saw the protest at the Parks Road museum on Saturday.

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He said: “The man was covered in fake blood and claimed he had glued himself to a statue of Darwin in a protest about climate change.

“He caused quite a stir but I don’t think he actually did any damage.”

The student added: “He made a speech, and read a poem, about the dangers of climate change before he was taken away by security guards and arrested.”

Thames Valley Police and museum staff have not commented.

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The Pitt Rivers Museum, next door to the Museum of Natural History, has been selected as one of five finalists for Art Fund Museum of the Year 2019, regarded as the most prestigious museum prize in the world.

The annual award celebrates innovation and exceptional achievement in museums and galleries across the UK.

The other four museums shortlisted for the title are HMS Caroline, Belfast; Nottingham Contemporary; St Fagans National Museum of History, Cardiff; and V&A Dundee.

The winning museum, which will receive £100,000, will be announced at a ceremony at the Science Museum, London, on Wednesday, July 3.

The other shortlisted museums will receive £10,000 each in recognition of their achievements.