AN INSULATE Britain activist from South Lakeland said the group will not be 'cowed' after the Home Secretary labelled them as ‘criminals'.

After four weeks of protesting and the blocking of motorways, Priti Patel described the activist group as ‘criminals’ and vowed to introduce a new measure to tackle the disruption.

Gwen Harrison, 43, from Kendal, has been taking part in the protests and had previously been arrested during a demonstration.

She was involved in a protest that blocked three major routes into London this week.

The affected routes included Blackwall Tunnel, Hanger Lane, and Arnos Grove.

In previous weeks, the group has focussed mainly on the M25 with additional protests on the M1, M4 and at the Port of Dover.

The group’s demand is that PM Boris Johnson issues a statement vowing to insulate Britain’s homes starting with the homes of the poorest people in the country.

Gwen said: “Priti Patel can threaten us with fines, injunctions and jail but we will not be cowed.

“We will continue to peacefully protest until the government does the right thing: insulate our houses so that old people stop dying in cold homes. It happens every winter and it is a national disgrace.

“We’re not going away, in fact more people are joining us and demanding that the govt insulate Britain’s leaky housing.

“1000’s of people will die again this year because Boris refuses to pick up the phone and make a meaningful commitment to insulating their cold homes.

“We have been arrested multiple times and face the prospect of long prison sentences but if that’s what it takes to get this sorted then so be it.”

Mr Johnson told LBC: "There are some people who call those individuals legitimate protesters.

"They are not. I think they are irresponsible crusties who are basically trying to stop people going about their day's work and doing considerable damage to the economy.

"That is why we have taken the powers and why Priti Patel is doing the right thing to bring in powers so they can get six months or an unlimited fine."

A local spokesman for Insulate Britain said: “We agree with Boris Johnson and Priti Patel that we need to protect infrastructure and the economy.

“The irony is that parts of London and the South East ground to a halt again on Tuesday, not because of ‘irresponsible crusties’ but because of more flash floods. Motorways across the country, including the M25 and the M23 were closed, not because of peaceful protesters but because of torrential rain.

“This isn’t just bad weather; this is exactly what scientists have been warning of; an increase in extreme weather events that will cause massive disruption to our economy and way of life.

“If the government is serious about tackling this climate emergency, then insulating homes is the easiest way to start, they just need to get it done.”