Donald Bell Wiki – Donald Bell Biography
Donald Bell was a private in the British Army, claimed the government going to the central London landmark every year ‘was a sign of disrespect’.
An extinction Rebellion activist sparked outrage after protesting at the Cenotaph yesterday has called Remembrance services at the memorial a ‘little ritual’.
The bizarre comments were quickly condemned by Good Morning Britain hosts Ben Shephard and Susanna Reid, who said his words would ‘ruffle a number of feathers’.
Age
He is 66 years old.
Donald Bell Sparked Outrage With Extinction Rebellion Protest
Mr Bell and nurse Anne White, 53, sparked fury when they trampled over wreaths and put up a banner saying: ‘Honour Their Sacrifice, Climate Change Means War’.
They held a two-minute silence before hanging their own wreath above ones laid by senior military figures, Royals and politicians.
It took the Metropolitan Police at least half an hour to take his down, despite one of their cars being parked within sight of the monument.
Trying to defend his actions from his home in Cambridge today, Mr Bell said: ‘It is about our futures, those soldiers gave their lives, the ultimate sacrifice for our future, so we can live in peace.
‘And when we have a government that’s ignoring this climate emergency that we’re in, their inaction is a crime.
‘When they turn up their every year for their little ritual that is a sign of disrespect as far as I’m concerned.’
Ms Reid cut the eco-warrior short and asked him: ‘What is a ”little ritual”… sorry you just used a phrase I think will ruffle a number of feathers.’
Remembrance
When asked if he was referring to the Remembrance service – which sees the country pay respect to servicemen who died in conflict – he said ‘yes’.
He added: ‘As far as the political side of this country is concerned, it’s just something they go through every year and I don’t feel they really respect the loss of life.’
Ex-Royal Marine Ben McBean, who fought in Afghanistan, raised his hand to his face and shook his head as Mr Bell spoke.
Homes across the UK fell silent in remembrance of the nation’s war dead yesterday – as the coronavirus pandemic limited public commemorations.
Heartbroken veterans and well wishers were told not to go to the Cenotaph – to stop the virus spreading – but the brazen XR demonstrators ignored the request.
Mr Bell, who was injured in an IRA car bomb attack in Northern Ireland in 1974, was also criticised by Lord Ridley today.
The House of Lords hereditary peer savaged the ‘jolly day out for middle class people who want to show off that they care’.
The businessman, whose great grandfather was the architect of the Cenotaph, told TalkRadio: ‘Their slog that climate change causes war is simply untrue.
‘Climate change so far has caused an increase in crop yields around the world in all areas, that has led to less hunger and so on.
‘It’s possible in future there might be wars over climate change but you’ve got to make some pretty implausible conjectures to get there.’
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