He said: “There are some people who call those individuals legitimate protesters.

       “They are not. I think they are irresponsible crusties who are basically trying to stop people going about their day’s work and doing considerable damage to the economy.”

       Home Secretary Priti Patel has promised to increase the maximum penalties for disrupting a motorway while also criminalising interference with major roads, railways and the press.

       The Prime Minister’s father Stanley Johnson, an environmental campaigner, yesterday said: “Extinction Rebellion and Insulate Britain are making a mistake if they think antagonising people, ordinary people, is going to help the cause.”