Just Stop Oil protesters charged over disruption of Twickenham rugby final

Two men have been charged over a Just Stop Oil protest at the Gallagher Premiership rugby union final at Twickenham on Saturday when activists invaded the pitch and threw orange paint powder during live play.

The Met police said Samuel Johnson, 40, of Reydon, Suffolk and Patrick Hart, 37, of Brislington, Bristol had been charged with aggravated trespass.

Police said the charges related to the incident 24 minutes into the match between Saracens and Sale, briefly disrupting play.

Stewards escorted the pair out of the stadium and the game continued. Saracens went on to win 35-25.

Both men have been remanded in custody and are expected to appear at Wimbledon magistrates court on Monday.

The Met’s gold commander for events in London on Saturday, Kyle Gordon, said: “Yesterday’s incident at the rugby final will have caused frustration to both the players and spectators alike. With many other events taking place, and visitors in our capital this weekend, we will continue to monitor and respond to such incidents quickly.

“Where protest moves into criminality or serious disruption, we will take robust action to ensure Londoners and visitors alike can continue to enjoy their bank holiday weekend.”

He said the force had recorded 102 Just Stop Oil slow marches across London, which had led to 51 arrests.

In a statement released by the group after the protest, the group said it would “continue to take disruptive action until this government stops new fossil fuels”.