Everton pitch invader revealed as Insulate Britain campaigner

Daniel Brown

He was previously sentenced to three months in prison

The pitch invader who halted Everton’s Premier League clash against Newcastle United on Thursday has been revealed as an Insulate Britain campaigner.

The game was delayed for eight minutes in the second-half after stewards had to enter the pitch to remove a protestor who had attached himself to a goal post.

The man – who tied himself to the post using a cable around his neck – had a message on his t-shirt that read “Just Stop Oil” along with a link to a website.

It took several members of Everton’s backroom staff to remove the man and deal with the situation, including one who carried a huge pair of bolt cutters with him to cut the man free.

As reported by the BBC, the man – who identified himself as 21-year-old Louis McKechnie – has since been arrested.

He has previously spent time in prison after being arrested while campaigning for Insulate Britain, with the Daily Mail reporting that he was one of nine protesters who faced the High Court for breaking a government injunction intended to stop people from gluing themselves to motorways and A roads in London.

Mr McKechnie was reportedly sentenced to three months in prison for his role in the protests – however, he was released after seeing half of his sentence.

"It's 2022 and it's time to look up, time to step up and not stand by. It's time to act like it's an emergency" pic.twitter.com/YjBQalRBpk

— Just Stop Oil (@JustStop_Oil) March 17, 2022

Prior to the incident on the pitch, McKechnie posted a video on social media in which he explained the reasons for what he was set to do.

He said: “I’m about to disrupt a football match and I’m terrified. But I believe as many people as possible need to know what a possible future holds.

“Billions of people not knowing if they should stay in their homes or if they should of if they should leave where they go as countries become too hot to live in.

“Mass starvation due to crop failure, it’s fighting for bread, in the bakery aisle of Morrisons, the cost of living crisis, Covid and the war in Ukraine are showcasing this future.

“I want my government to do all they can to stop this coming true but they are expanding oil and gas making things worse, increasing the risk.”

It comes after a pitch invader tried to handcuff themselves to a goal during Arsenal’s Premier League clash against Liverpool on Wednesday.

The Gunners’ match against the Reds was temporarily halted in the second-half at the Emirates as a pitch invader ran onto the pitch.

As the ball went out of play in the 60th minute, a man sprinted onto the field and headed towards the goal. He attempted to handcuff himself to a goal post before stewards managed to get to him and escort him from the pitch.

Just Stop Oil claim that their protests are intended to call for government action to end reliance on the fossil fuel, as well as stopping further investment into the production of oil.

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