TV presenter Chris Packham led Extinction Rebellion protesters tonight as they stormed the Science Museum's new climate gallery over its sponsorship by a mining company.

The exhibit has been plagued by disruption since its opening last month, with criticism centring on the fact the gallery's sponsor – the Adani Group – derives 60 per cent of its revenue from the coal industry.

The Adani Group is also involved in the manufacturing of drones for the Israeli military, Extinction Rebellion has claimed.

Speaking to the 30-strong band of young people, scientists and activists, Mr Packham deemed the sponsorship deal 'beyond greenwash – it's grotesque'. 

He continued: 'Science tells us that the fossil fuel industry is responsible for the accelerating destruction of our natural world.

TV presenter Chris Packham led Extinction Rebellion protesters last night as they stormed the Science Museum's new climate gallery over its sponsorship by a mining company

The exhibit has been plagued by disruption since its opening last month, with criticism centring on the fact the gallery's sponsor – the Adani Group – derives 60 per cent of its revenue from the coal industry

The Adani Group is also involved in the manufacturing of drones for the Israeli military, Extinction Rebellion has claimed

'The Science Museum is a place to spark imagination, to provide answers but also to encourage us to ask questions.

'The question I'm asking today is a big one, 'why on earth are we allowing a destructive industry to sponsor an educational exhibition whilst simultaneously setting fire to young peoples futures?'

'This is beyond greenwash - it's grotesque.'

Protesters led by Youth Action for Climate Justice held up a series of banners, including 'Teach us the truth' and 'Adani kills', and created a display of black balls symbolising coal.

They said they intended to remain in the museum over the weekend, with the first school visits to the gallery beginning on Monday.

Speaking to the 30-strong band of young people, scientists and activists, Mr Packham deemed the sponsorship deal 'beyond greenwash – it's grotesque'

Protesters led by Youth Action for Climate Justice held up a series of banners, including 'Teach us the truth' and 'Adani kills', and created a display of black balls symbolising coal

The announcement of the sponsorship in 2021 was met with a raft of opposition – including the resignation of two museum trustees, and former museum director Chris Rapley leaving the advisory board

Dr Aaron Thierry, a scientist who joined the protest, said: 'It's not just Adani's brand that the science museum is greenwashing, they're also allowing the oil and gas giants BP and Equinor to sponsor their exhibits, disregarding the fact that these companies continue to expand fossil fuel production against the warnings of climate scientists.

'That an institution like the Science Museum is working with such rogue companies is a disgrace.

'The museum's management needs to follow the example of Britain's other leading cultural institutions and drop all ties to the fossil fuel industry.'

The gallery's primary sponsor, Adani, is the world's largest private developer of new coal mines and coal-fired power plants.

The announcement of the sponsorship in 2021 was met with a raft of opposition – including the resignation of two museum trustees, and former museum director Chris Rapley leaving the advisory board.

More than 150 people gathered to protest at the gallery's opening, and guests at the VIP launch were accosted as they arrived.

The Science Museum has defended the deal by claiming that it has partnered only with Adani's Green Energy Division.