POLICE “seized the Loch Ness Monster” this morning as protesters planned to use a giant inflatable on the river Clyde to highlight climate debt.

The Jubilee Debt Campaign say they intended to float the eight-metre-long Nessie replica along the Clyde in an effort to raise awareness of the growing threat of debt burdens for lower income countries.

The campaign stunt comes as the UN climate conference discusses finance today.

But the group says police seized Nessie at 7am under Section 20 of the Police and Fire Reform Act.

Glasgow Times:

Eva Watkinson, head of campaigns at Jubilee Debt Campaign, said: “The debt crisis facing lower income countries has been excluded from debate at COP26 and now police have prevented the ‘Loch Ness Debt Monster’ from highlighting this fundamental issue.

“Lower income countries’ unsustainable debt is preventing them from fighting the climate crisis. And when climate disasters hit, countries are pushed into further debt to pay for reconstruction.

“Rich polluting countries created the climate crisis and should take responsibility by cancelling the debts of countries that need it and ensuring climate finance is given in grants, not more loans.” 

Glasgow Times:

Glasgow Times:

Chris Sinckler of the Caribbean Policy Development Centre urged developed countries to “accept the moral responsibility to act now to halt this looming disaster” by agreeing a comprehensive debt relief and climate finance package.

A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: "Officers seized a large inflatable due to be launched on the River Clyde as it breached the maritime restrictions in place to maintain public safety and security close to the COP26 venue."