Extinction Rebellion has been warned by the police and a Government minister that the tactics of their two-week shutdown of London risk alienating the public.

Grant Shapps, the Transport Secretary, said that disrupting the lives of ordinary people risked “turning people against” the cause whilst the Metropolitan Police warned that elements of the “unprecedented” protest are “hugely disappointing and irresponsible”.

Extinction Rebellion has vowed to shut down Westminster in a protest that will be five times bigger than that seen in April.

The action could disrupt emergency care at St Thomas’s hospital, activists admitted, and they are planning to fill all of the Met’s police cells by refusing to co-operate with officers and to accept bail.

It is feared that the protest, which if successful will close two of central London’s main bridges, will also wreak havoc on the transport network and businesses.