Just Stop Oil refuses to confirm whether woman who threw confetti at George Osborne is supporter

Just Stop Oil has refused to confirm or deny whether someone who dumped a load of orange confetti on former Chancellor George Osborne at his wedding was one of their supporters.

The protest group has made orange its colour in recent times, invading various sporting events including the World Snooker Championship, Premier League football games, Wimbledon, and the Premiership Rugby final at Twickenham.

They’ve also staged protests on motorways and busy roads, arguing against new licences for oil and gas exploration and extraction.

Climate change is a real issue, and they’re working really hard to put it at the top of the agenda, but obviously plenty of people disagree with them.

Former Conservative minister Osborne got married to his former adviser Thea Rogers yesterday (8 July), but as the couple left the church, they were ambushed by a woman who threw a load of orange confetti over them.

It could have been worse – confetti is fine at a wedding, and Just Stop Oil have been known to use paint or orange powder, which would really have ruined their outfits.

Still, there has been speculation about whether the woman was involved with Just Stop Oil, and the group even tweeted: "You look good in orange @George_Osborne - congratulations to the newlyweds."

You look good in orange @George_Osborne — congratulations to the newlyweds. pic.twitter.com/LARxEoraU2

— Just Stop Oil (@JustStop_Oil) July 8, 2023

However, the group later distanced itself from this stunt, releasing a statement that said it ‘will not confirm or deny whether the woman is a supporter of our campaign’.

They did say that Mr Osborne ‘carries a heavy responsibility’ for the ongoing climate crisis.

"As a Conservative politician and prominent news editor, George Osborne carries a heavy responsibility for the inability of successive governments to address the climate crisis," the organisation said.

"Unless fossil fuel licences are halted immediately, we're all going to pay a heavy price for the failings of men like Osborne.

"People no longer have faith in politicians.

“It's time for those that want to take a stand against the forces prioritising profit over life to come together in civil resistance."

Osborne got married at St Mary’s Church in the Somerset town of Bruton on Saturday, and the pair definitely looked bemused when the woman leapt out and started showering them with orange confetti unexpectedly.

A spokesperson for Mr Osborne said that the woman did not say anything and they didn't believe it was an act of protest.

Labour’s shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves condemned the woman, as well as previous actions that were claimed by Just Stop Oil, telling Sophy Ridge on Sky News: "I have got no time for Just Stop Oil.

"To be honest, I think it is a bit pathetic and quite tedious disrupting tennis, snooker, other people's weddings.

"If they want to tackle climate change, engage in the policy answers, but they are not building support for their cause, they are doing the exact opposite.

"So it is counter-productive and it is rude frankly."