The Greenpeace vessel Rainbow Warrior is facing a clash with police and the Ministry of Defence over plans to sail to the Cop26 summit in Glasgow on Monday in breach of security plans.

       The campaign group’s famous ship is carrying youth strikers from communities most hit by climate change to demand world leaders “stop failing us”.

       Greenpeace said it had been warned by port authorities not to sail up the River Clyde to the global climate conference, but added the vessel would still attempt the journey.

       If the voyage is successful, four youth activists on the Rainbow Warrior plan to meet fellow members of the Fridays for Future climate strike movement outside the summit on Monday afternoon to deliver their message.

       They argued the summit should not go ahead without the people most affected, but activists from some nations have been shut out by a failure to distribute Covid-19 vaccines fairly across the globe.

       River users have a responsibility, say police

       But Assistant Chief Constable Gary Ritchie, of Police Scotland, said: “The river is subject to movement and mooring restrictions for security purposes. No vessels are allowed in the prohibited security zone until the event ends on Nov 12.

       “River users have a responsibility to check the Notice to Mariners prior to departure so they’re aware of what bodies of water are accessible and which are restricted. The Ministry of Defence Police is on the river at all times during the event in support of Police Scotland.”

       The Rainbow Warrior set sail from Liverpool on Saturday night, and contacted the Clyde port authority to request permission to berth outside the Cop26 conference, but was told it could not sail up the Clyde and the area was controlled by police.

       The captain decided to ignore the warnings and will continue the ship’s journey as the activists’ message and presence at Cop26 is fundamental to its success, Greenpeace said.

       A “stop failing us” message is written on large banners hung between the Rainbow Warrior’s masts and bows.

       ‘We’re here, we’re coming and we won’t be stopped’

       Speaking onboard, Maria Reyes, 19, from Mexico, said: “From vaccines to visas and travel restrictions, we’ve already had to overcome many obstacles that the Cop26 organisers tried to use in an attempt to shut us out.

       “But we’re here, we’re coming and we won’t be stopped.

       “Inequalities such as gender violence, racial discrimination, class inequality and forced migration are exacerbated by the climate crisis.

       “By denying us entry, these so-called ‘leaders’ are fanning the flames of these inequalities.”