'It's just a bit of orange dust on a rock': Just Stop Oil activist faces backlash after downplaying Stonehenge attack - as experts say rare lichen could be irreparably damaged Do you know the woman who tried to stop the attack? Email: tips@dailymail.com By Mark Duell Published: 06:09 EDT, 20 June 2024 | Updated: 06:57 EDT, 20 June 2024 e-mail 22 View comments A Just Stop Oil activist has played down how fellow eco fanatics targeted Stonehenge with powder paint, claiming it was 'a bit of orange dust on a rock'. Environmental campaigners Rajan Naidu, 73, and Niamh Lynch, 21, ran up to the stones yesterday and attacked them as members of the public tried to intervene.
Video footage showed two people wearing white shirts with the Just Stop Oil slogan, approaching the stone circle with canisters and spraying orange powder paint. Naidu and Lynch were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage, damaging an ancient monument and deterring a person from engaging in a lawful activity. The duo were bailed today while Wiltshire Police continues to investigate.
Now, Just Stop Oil supporter Ben Larsen, 26, from the Wirral, who has previously been convicted of traffic disruption, has now been trying to justify their actions. During an interview on Sky News , presenter Matt Barbet asked him: 'Why these tactics in particular, which for the most part amount to criminal damage?' And Larsen responded: 'Well you can call them criminal damage if you like, it's a bit of orange dust on a rock that's we.