Extinction Rebellion protesters send Barclays' AGM in Manchester into chaos

Climate change activists disrupted Barclays' annual general meeting for shareholders in Manchester today - with personal alarms set off in the audience and one protester gluing herself to a seat. According to reports the bank's chairman was forced to halt the meeting as security was called in.

The Barclays PLC 2022 AGM was held at 11am at Manchester Central convention complex in the city centre. Environmental activist group Extinction Rebellion said later its members, and those of its sister movement Money Rebellion, were behind the disruption, which it added was launched to demand banks 'stop financing fossil fuels'.

Similar disruptions were also held at Standard Chartered PLC's AGM held in London on Wednesday morning, reported the group. Reports said banking giant Barclays' AGM in Manchester got off to a chaotic start after a series of disruptions from people watching on in the audience.

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Video footage revealed shows shouting and heckling, with security officers called to attend and requests for people to be taken from the building.

Chairman Nigel Higgins was forced to pause the meeting while security removed the protesters as he was repeatedly interrupted, with the activists dominating the first 45 minutes and setting off personal alarms as he spoke. One woman protester glued herself to her seat in the audience to avoid being removed, according to reports.

Protesters criticised the group over its investment strategy, claiming the bank is continuing to invest heavily in fossil fuels and accused it of 'greenwashing'. One activist said the bank was 'morally bankrupt'. He said: "Barclays has ploughed 160 billion US dollars (£128