Tax protesters target Barclays bank

A direct action group has targeted high street branches of Barclays bank in the latest in a series of protests over claims of tax avoidance.

Supporters of UK Uncut gathered in Soho, central London, stating the plan was not to shut the banks down, but to “open them up”, occupy them and transform them into “something people need, but will be cut”.

The group said approximately eight banks in London were expected to be hit, with protests planned in other cities across the UK.

Volunteers claimed people were angry at the refusal of Barclays’ chief executive Bob Diamond to apologise for the banks’ role in the economic crisis and saying the time for remorse was now over.

A UK Uncut spokesman said: “We are here today because we are tired of companies ripping off the public and using economies of scale and clever accounting laws to get away with not paying taxes.

“We are tired of us paying into the public sector and seeing our public sector decimated while corporations are effectively getting away with theft.

“It’s legal but immoral.”

He added: “We are hoping to very peacefully and legally send a big message to Barclays that paying 1% corporation tax is not really acceptable.”

The protesters split up into groups, with one of around 50 people walking to the Barclays branch at Piccadilly Circus.

They gathered outside the entrance in the rain, holding banners saying: “People before profits” and chanting “books not bonuses” as they made an impromptu library outside the building.