A small group of environmentalists occupying Rockall in protest at oil activity in the Atlantic yesterday claimed sovereignty over the inhospitable outcrop, 290 miles from the Scottish coast.

The activists, from Greenpeace, hoisted a flag at the top of the 70ft-high rock and declered a new global state of Waveland, but stressed they do not want to own Rockall. Four campaigners will occupy the rock, taking refuge in a survival capsule, with one always "off-duty" on the support vessel MV Greepeace. Chris Rose, deputy executive director of Greenpeace, said:"Four nations (Britain, Ireland, Iceland and Denmark) want the oil around Rockall. We do not recognise their right to develop it"