Julia Hartley-Brewer slammed over Question Time comments calling Extinction Rebellion a 'quasi-religious death cult'

Bonnie Christian11 October 2019

Julia Hartley-Brewer has been slammed after describing the Extinction Rebellion as a “quasi-religious death cult”.

The columnist and Talk Radio host appeared on the BBC's Question Time panel on Thursday night where she clashed with the group’s spokesman Rupert Read.

Mr Read issued a warning about the unfolding climate catastrophe and defended the climate activists over the two weeks of protests in London, dismissing concerns the demonstrations were an inconvenience to those not involved.

Ms Hartley-Brewer said he was “scaremongering” in response to his warning that the “real disruption” would come in the form of crop failures and children’s fears for their future.

Extinction Rebellion London Protests: October 2019 - In pictures

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She continued: "There is nothing in any of the science, nothing in any of the IPCC reports that suggests we are heading towards a catastrophe, a crisis, mass extermination or anything of the sort.

"This is scaremongering of the worst kind. What we've got with Extinction Rebellion, I'm afraid, is not a sensible debate based on science or the facts, it is to all intents and purposes a quasi-religious death cult."

Mr Read gave a tongue-in-cheek apology for not being a member of a cult.

Ms Hartley-Brewer was slammed on social media for her attack on the group.

One person said: “I'm astonished she thinks saving the climate is a quasi religious death cult... Talk about OTT.”

Another added: "#ExtinctionRebelion is a quasi-religious death cult cries @JuliaHB1, managing to be more ridiculous than usual.”

Another person, referencing that Ms Hartley-Brewer is a supporter of Brexit, countered: “If @juliahb1 wants an example of a "quasi-religious death cult" that routinely ignores facts and evidence, she need look no further than her own chosen "quasi-religious death cult": Brexit. #bbcqt”

It is not the first time Ms Hartley-Brewer made the comments.

She tweeted in September: “It’s not a minority view. It’s only a minority view in virtue signalling media and social media.

"Most people are getting on with their lives, most adults went to work today and most children went to school and did double maths instead of joining a quasi-religious death cult.”

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