Environmental campaigners have responded angrily to what they have dubbed a ‘smear campaign’.

A report in yesterday’s Evening Standard claimed that participants in the ‘Camp for Climate Action’ were planning to create security alerts at Heathrow airport with ‘hoax bombs’. Protesters today hit back, saying they had referred the report to the Press Complaints Commission under article 1.1 of its code of practice, which binds newspapers to ‘take care not to publish inaccurate, misleading or distorted information, including pictures.’

A spokesman for the camp said today that he was happy to invite Veronia Wadley, editor of the Evening Standard, to the camp, if she could bring evidence to back up her paper’s claims.

Meanwhile, local MP John McDonnell criticised police handling of the protest so far.

‘The police presence is completely over the top,’ McDonnell told Index. ‘They have already used anti-terrorist legislation to stop and search people approaching the camp. Many of my constituents feel very intimidated, having been photographed going about their daily business by police.’

‘I have had several meetings with local residents, and the vast majority support the campaigners’ right to peaceful protest,’ he added.

The protest officially began today, though the camp was set up two days early. A steady stream of campers made their way down the narrow West London lane to the camp all morning, braving the rain and police cameras.

The camp is set to culminate in a day of direct action on Sunday. While the camp spokesman said it was as yet undecided as to what form the action would take, he insisted that no violence would take place. However, the protesters refused to rule out a protest within terminal buildings.