A POLICE intelligence-led claim that Greenpeace is set to dock a ship at Greenock during COP26 has been rubbished by the global environmental organisation.

The Tele can reveal that the man in charge of Police Scotland's operations for the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow told a media briefing that his officers were ready to engage with activists.

Assistant Chief Constable Bernard Higgins declared: "Greenpeace are coming.

"They are bringing one of their boats and they are going to dock down at Greenock, we believe."

Mr Higgins added: "As soon as they have docked a police liaison officer will go down and speak and say, 'What is it you intend to do, how can we facilitate that? What can the police do to help facilitate your aims and objectives?'.

"We constantly speak, constantly make ourselves available and that will always remain."

A Police Scotland spokesperson confirmed in an email to the Telegraph that the quotes attributed to ACC Higgins 'are accurate'.

ACC Higgins added: "Preparations are in an advanced stage as we move from planning into operational delivery."

However, Greenpeace — which has an official accreditation to attend COP26 — has today flatly denied there is any plan to bring a ship to Inverclyde.

Greenpeace UK's head of climate, Kate Blagojevic, said: "We have no intention to bring any of our ships to Greenock before, after or during COP26.

"I'm not sure where Police Scotland have gathered this intelligence but they have been misinformed."

Asked if Greenpeace would have a presence at COP26, a spokesman said: As with all COPs we have accreditation to attend the talks and will have a small team inside the summit, yes."

COP26 will be attended by world leaders and dignitaries including Her Majesty The Queen, US President Joe Biden and former president Barack Obama.

The conference — which is being seen as crucial to helping save Earth from the worst projected ravages of climate change — will run from October 31 to November 12.