Claire Fox insisted climate change is not an emergency but a problem as the Brexit Party MEP fears the matter will stop a new industrial revolution. But Richard Burgon said it was “unfair” of her to suggest that. Ms Fox added Extinction Rebellion’s bill will be used as an excuse against development.

Speaking on BBC Two’s Politics Live, Ms Fox said: “I think there’s a presumption of a climate emergency which I don’t think there is.

“I think there’s a climate problem, I don’t think there’s an emergency.

“There’s a climate problem that needs to be addressed and the reason I’m mentioning this is because a point was made about the context of the economy.

“I’m very interested in the new industrial revolution, what we do in terms of energy, developing the north, ensuring there are jobs and that kind of vision.

“It seems to me this is completely at odds with the rhetoric which the Tories have adopted in order to adapt to the likes of Green environmentalist rhetoric and therefore they get caught up in this.”

Mr Burgon argued that protestors for climate change are “heroes”.

He said: “I think on the rhetoric you’ve just mentioned and the climate emergency, I think that’s really unfair.

“I think people like Greta Thunberg and the school strikers and people on Extinction Rebellion are actually heroes.

“What’s really concerning is this whole debate comes in this context of the appalling decision to have a blanket ban on any protest relating to this across London.

“I think when history is written these people will be seen as the Suffragettes.

“The campaigners went ahead of history.”

Ms Fox added: “The thing we have to recognise is it will allow for an austerity economy.

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“Go back to pre-war when you are actually cutting back on anything, anti-progress, anti-development.

“They don’t see humanity as a solution but as a problem.

“I’m worried the bill is over regulatory.

“It will hold back and be used as an excuse against development.”

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