A MAJOR Labour donor vowed today to double all money given to Just Stop Oil for the next 48 hours following backlash from senior Tories.

Green energy businessman Dale Vince told people on Twitter to “make a donation” to the climate activist group in the next 48 hours, adding: “I will double the amount you give.”

The call followed controversy in the Labour Party over financial support from Mr Vince, who is also a key donor to Just Stop Oil, due to the groups non-violent disruptive protests.

Sir Keir Starmer previously condemned the activists, describing them as “wrong” and “arrogant” and senior Conservatives, including party chairman Greg Hands, called on the Labour leader to hand back money given by Mr Vince, arguing it legitimises group’s tactics.

The Ecotricity founder has given around £1.5 million to Labour over the past decade, according to filings to the Electoral Commission.

Shadow international secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds defended accepting donations from Mr Vince, insisting it does not affect the party’s views on the campaign group.

Defending Just Stop Oil’s protests, Mr Vince said: “Sometimes laws are unjust and when that happens, people have to stand up and do something about it.

“This climate crisis will be with us for hundreds of years.”

On his donations to Labour, he said: “I think it is a desperate stretch for the right-wing press and Tory MPs actually to be saying there’s a link here, that this money should be given back.”

He said there is “no link” between the money he donated to Labour and the reports claiming the party is considering blocking new oil and gas exploration if it wins the next election.

It came as Just Stop Oil protesters blocked a major road in west London, with one police officer seen dragging a supporter along the ground by his high-vis vest amid attempts to clear the way.

The group staged slow marches along three roads near West Kensington Tube station, including the A4.

The protest later moved to Parliament Square and arrests were made after some refused to leave the road under new policing laws.

Protester Adam Beard, a 54-year-old gardener from Stroud, said: “[Labour] need to fully get behind, recognise that there is a climate crisis and that we need to act accordingly.

“It means insulating homes, changing public transport and making that the cheaper and easier option, and so on.”