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Extinction Rebellion protester and Paralympian James Brown today climbed on top of a British Airways plane at London City Airport.

The London 2012 bronze medal paracyclist - who in 2016 was given a two-and-a-half year suspension for refusing a doping test - was filmed mounting the plane just before 1pm.

After more than an hour of sitting and lying on the roof, he was eventually brought down and led away by police just after 2pm.

In a live video posted on Facebook, Mr Brown announced: "I'm on top of a f****** aeroplane at City Airport. I hate heights, I'm s******* myself. I managed to get on the roof.

Extinction Rebellion protester climbs on top of a BA plane 10 show all Extinction Rebellion protester climbs on top of a BA plane 1/10 @Dawn9090 2/10 Reuters 3/10 Mr Brown on top of the plane at London City Airport Extinction Rebellion/Facebook 4/10 Reuters 5/10 Reuters 6/10 Reuters 7/10 PA 8/10 Reuters 9/10 Reuters 10/10 Reuters 1/10 @Dawn9090 2/10 Reuters 3/10 Mr Brown on top of the plane at London City Airport Extinction Rebellion/Facebook 4/10 Reuters 5/10 Reuters 6/10 Reuters 7/10 PA 8/10 Reuters 9/10 Reuters 10/10 Reuters

"This is all about the climate and ecological crisis. We're protesting against government inaction on climate and ecological breakdown.

"They declare a climate emergency and then do nothing about it. In fact, they go the opposite direction."

Mr Brown went on to admit he hoped police and security didn't take too long to apprehend him "because this is f****** scary and it's also a bit cold".

He said his protest was "for my kids, for everybody's kids, for all the young people who face a horrendous future".

Mr Brown, who is visually impaired, was also arrested at Heathrow Airport last month during a protest which saw some demonstrators attempt to fly a drone near the airport.

His aeroplane stunt on Thursday was part of Extinction Rebellion's demonstrations aimed at shutting down the airport, in Newham, east London.

Extinction Rebellion London City Airport Protest: October 2019 24 show all Extinction Rebellion London City Airport Protest: October 2019 1/24 @Dawn9090 2/24 Reuters 3/24 Jeremy Selwyn 4/24 Jeremy Selwyn 5/24 Reuters 6/24 PA 7/24 AFP via Getty Images 8/24 AFP via Getty Images 9/24 Jeremy Selwyn 10/24 PA 11/24 Reuters 12/24 A man shouted "shut the airport down". Jeremy Selwyn 13/24 PA 14/24 Jeremy Selwyn 15/24 Jeremy Selwyn 16/24 Activists stage a 'Hong Kong style' blockage of the exit from Docklands Light Railway to City Airport PA 17/24 Jeremy Selwyn 18/24 AFP via Getty Images 19/24 Reuters 20/24 PA 21/24 PA 22/24 Reuters 23/24 AFP via Getty Images 24/24 AP 1/24 @Dawn9090 2/24 Reuters 3/24 Jeremy Selwyn 4/24 Jeremy Selwyn 5/24 Reuters 6/24 PA 7/24 AFP via Getty Images 8/24 AFP via Getty Images 9/24 Jeremy Selwyn 10/24 PA 11/24 Reuters 12/24 A man shouted "shut the airport down". Jeremy Selwyn 13/24 PA 14/24 Jeremy Selwyn 15/24 Jeremy Selwyn 16/24 Activists stage a 'Hong Kong style' blockage of the exit from Docklands Light Railway to City Airport PA 17/24 Jeremy Selwyn 18/24 AFP via Getty Images 19/24 Reuters 20/24 PA 21/24 PA 22/24 Reuters 23/24 AFP via Getty Images 24/24 AP

The airport has said it remains fully open and operational, but is advising customers to check the status of their flights before travelling there.

A London City Airport spokesman said: “We can confirm that a booked passenger that climbed on top of an aircraft at London City Airport has been removed.

"We are working with all partners to investigate, and ensure the safe and secure continuation of service.

“A number of protesters remain outside the front of the airport terminal and we are working hard with the Metropolitan Police to minimise disruption to passengers. As of 12.15pm, there were 55 arrivals and 58 departures."