Commuters, tourists and politicians reacted in fury as major transport routes continue to be blocked at Marble Arch, Waterloo Bridge, Parliament Square and Oxford Circus since Monday. Nearly 400 people have been arrested this week in connection with the protests. Despite the arrests, activists have warned the roadblocks will continue until at least Friday.

Tory MP Andrew Rosindell said: “Police should be clearing the streets so Londoners can get to work. Instead they have surrendered the streets to these people.”

According to a YouGov Poll, public opinion has now moved against the protests and a survey of 3,561 British adults found more than half oppose the action.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan caused further outrage when he supported the protesters.

He tweeted: “We’re facing a climate emergency.

“I fully support the right of protesters to protest on this vital issue, and urge organisers to work with police to ensure their demonstrations are peaceful and lawful and that disruption is kept to a minimum.”

The chair of the Police Federation John Apter has said the Mayor of London’s support for the protest has made it extra difficult for officers.

He told the Daily Telegraph: “This is already a politically sensitive demonstration, and officers are under enough pressure as it is.

“What we don’t need, as well-intended as it might be, is a politician aggravating the situation and making it worse.

“The likes of Sadiq Khan should be supporting the police, especially when we are having to deal with rising crime on our streets.

“He has a public platform, and he should be more careful.”

Former Cabinet minister David Blunkett has said the eco-warriors Extinction Rebellion must have the full force of law used against them and he has been left feeling “outraged”.

The retired MP said he continued to be committed to slashing the UK’s carbon emissions but these protesters have chosen to cause chaos across London.

He said in the Daily Mail: “I feel angry and irritated that it has chosen to make people’s lives a misery. By yesterday, because of road blockages, 55 bus routes had been suspended, inconveniencing 500,000 passengers.”

Speaking on the BBC’s The One Show, Environmental Secretary Michael Gove said: “I think it’s appropriate for people to make their feelings known but I also think, we’ve got the message, we understand that action needs to be taken.”

Transport for London tweeted: “Central London / Extinction Rebellion – Bus routes which usually serve stops in central London remain diverted / curtailed due to an on-going protest which is blocking several roads.”

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