EXTINCTION REBELLION (XR) activists occupied the London offices of fossil fuel-funded “lie factory” Policy Exchange today.

Protesters rallied outside the entrance of the think tank, flanked by a Grim Reaper atop of a four-metre tripod. 

The building was adorned with fake crude oil and several activists occupied the entrance inside.

In 2019, Policy Exchange, which has received funding from US oil giant Exxon Mobil, released a report titled “Extremism Rebellion.”

Campaigners credited the report as helping shape the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act, a piece of draconian legislation which clamps down on the right to protest peacefully. 

A judge handed down record sentences of up to five years earlier this month to Just Stop Oil protesters under the Act.

XR campaigner Francesca Garlake described the think tank as a “lie factory” funded by the fossil fuel industry to “slow down action to tackle the accelerating climate crisis.”

She said: “Policy Exchange spokespeople are constantly in our newspapers, on the BBC and online posing as academic experts. 

“In reality, they are lobbyists who are paid by oil and gas criminals like ExxonMobil to lie about the danger and urgency of the crisis setting the planet on fire.”

XR is demanding the think tank cut its fossil fuel ties, reveal who its funders are, end its charitable status, and publish minutes of all its meetings with government ministers.

It is also calling on Labour to repeal the anti-protest Act. 

Activist Dr Sara Melly said: “This new Labour government has a perfect opportunity to demonstrate it really is about change, by acting decisively on fossil fuel funded lobby groups that are out to increase the destruction of our life support system, our only living planet.”

Policy Exchange has been contacted for comment.