With several Cornish towns seeing significant spikes in Covid cases, a local pensioner has pointed the finger at a well-known protest group, blaming them for the increase in infections.

John P James, a pensioner from Mount Hawke, has blamed Extinction Rebellion for the increased numbers of cases found in places such as Falmouth and St Ives as well as Penryn Campus.

Mr James has held a placard at both County Hall and then Lemon Quay in Truro yesterday (June 23) protesting the rise in Covid cases, claiming it wasn't G7 leaders or police but the Extinction Rebellion protestors coming from all over the country without masks that were behind the recent spike.

Written on it was the message claiming that thousands of Extinction Rebellion members had been bussed in from Manchester and other 'Covid' areas and passed it on to hospitality workers.

He also mentions "Snowflakes on Penryn Campus helping to increase the Covid rate at the campus."

Falmouth Packet: Mr James displaying his placard in Falmouth. Mr James displaying his placard in Falmouth.

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Mr James told The Packet: "They are the reason why St Ives and Falmouth, and even Penryn Campus, have all got high incidence now of covid.

"I saw all the coaches in Falmouth, and apparently there was another load over St Ives way, where they brought protestors in from Manchester and all around.

"These were all mainly young people, no masks, herded together.

"I'm afraid they were the cause of this outbreak, there's no doubt in my mind.

"They were the ones that gave it to the hospitality sector, obviously, it all ties in."

A spokesperson for XR Cornwall responded to the allegations, saying: "Claims that protests around the G7 Summit by Extinction Rebellion are responsible for the rise in Covid cases in Cornwall are not supported by the evidence.

"First, according to Cornwall's Public Health Chief, cases began rising in Cornwall from May 17, long before any protestors came to Cornwall.

"This increase coincided with the lifting of restrictions by the government and an influx of visitors for half-term.

"Second, although several hundred supporters of Extinction Rebellion did come from outside Cornwall the majority were local people.

Falmouth Packet: The placard used by Mr James in his protests.The placard used by Mr James in his protests.

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"Contrast this with 6500 police, and thousands more delegates and journalists, almost all from outside the county.

"Extinction Rebellion organised local G7 protests all over the UK precisely to avoid the risks of bringing Covid into Cornwall.

"Third, demonstrators were asked to wear face masks and maintain social distancing.

"It may not be apparent from some press images which tend to make people seem closer than they are, but these requests were generally respected.

"One person tested positive for Covid at the Extinction Rebellion youth camp.

"They were immediately isolated and contacts traced and also quarantined.

"To our knowledge there were no further cases among Extinction Rebellion activists in Cornwall linked to any G7 protest.

"XR remain committed to highlighting the dangers of climate change which include the increased likelihood of new diseases and new pandemics."