Greenpeace Stormtroopers invade Old Street for Volkswagen protest

Activists dressed as Stormtroopers invaded Old Street to protest against Volkswagen’s environmental record.

Climbers had installed spoof billboards on the roundabout - London’s largest advertising space - in the early hours.

They showed evil warlord Darth Vader branded with a VW sign alongside the slogan, ‘Volkswagen. The Dark Side.”

The stunt followed the launch of a film mocking Volkswagen’s popular online advert featuring a mini Darth Vader.

Campaigners are angry about the company’s alleged attempts to stall new environmental laws, and failure to reduce fuel consumption and introduce low-carbon technology quick enough.

Activist Emma Gibson said: “Volkswagen has spent millions on its new advert, using children and Star Wars iconography to persuade the public that it’s a responsible company. It was a stunningly successful advert, so VW can hardly complain if we now turn its own tactics back on the company to shine a light on its poor environmental record.”

A spokeswoman for Volkswagen said the company was “surprised” by the protest, pointing out that it had cut carbon emissions in its new fleet by more than 13 per cent.

“The Volkswagen Group is spearheading technology among the world’s volume carmakers.”