A CLIMATE activist from Weymouth who tied his neck to the goalpost during a football match and has more recently been involved in a protest at an Essex oil refinery said he ‘apologises’ for the disruption the group has caused people but vows not to stop.

Louis McKechnie, 21, ran onto the pitch and cable tied himself to the goalpost during the Premier League clash between Newcastle and Everton at Goodison Park on March 17.

More recently he has been involved in a blockade at an oil refinery in Essex, as the group he is campaigning with, Just Stop Oil, calls on the Government to stop new oil production.

Dorset Echo: Louis McKechnie. Credit: PA

The engineering student has said he apologises for the disruption the activists have caused for everyday people but said the backlash is to be 'expected'.

Mr McKechnie said: “I apologise to people who may be angry because they have a right to be angry. We don't like having to disrupt lives and we don't like any of the repercussions to the rest of the normal people.

“We are normal people doing this action, we get it we don’t like it when our lives are disrupted either so we apologise.

“We're desperate, we have literally tried everything else. For more than 30 years activists have been outside parliament with our banners and we have tried go through the political system - nothing has worked.

“All we're asking for is the Government to meet the climate targets they set already and they refuse to. We’re also asking for a transition where nobody is left behind.”

The university student says Just Stop Oil do not ‘plan on not stopping until the government stops all new fossil fuel licensing and consents’ out of fear of the environmental impacts of not doing so but admits they can’t continue if they are jailed.

The 21-year-old continued: “If we stopped all new fossil fuel consents right now, we would have enough, if we continue to consume it at current rates, for eight years. If we reduce our usage that can be a lot longer to allow for an easier transition.

“The Government expects us to take their inaction (on climate issues) laying down and we won’t stand for it.”

Dorset Echo: Undated handout photo issued by Insulate Britain of (back row left to right) Tim Speers, Roman Paluch, Emma Smart, Ben Taylor, James Thomas, (front row left to right) Louis McKechnie, Ana Heyatawin and Oliver Roc, some of a group of climate change

Mr McKechnie, who was previously imprisoned for three months for breaching a court injunction, says he is willing to go back to jail and that his family supports him in all his actions.

He added: “It's hard to tell if the Government will ever listen, the honest truth is we don't know.

“We don't know if it's going to work but we can't afford to lose and we can't afford not to try.

“The Government could end this at any time try and the fact they is honestly worrying and really shows to me what the government values.”