London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Monday, Jun 16, 2025

Climate protesters use Spice Girls and Shakespeare to disrupt Barclays AGM

Climate protesters use Spice Girls and Shakespeare to disrupt Barclays AGM

Environmental activists from Extinction Rebellion, Fossil Free London and Climate Choir were protesting the UK high street bank's investment in new fossil fuel projects.

Shakespeare and the Spice Girls were used by environmental protestors to repeatedly disrupt the Barclays annual general meeting (AGM) in central London on Wednesday morning.

Activists from Extinction Rebellion, Fossil Free London and Climate Choir were protesting the UK high street bank's investment in new fossil fuel projects despite heavy security at the AGM venue.

The first interruption came as dozens of protestors broke out in song with a variant of the Spice Girl's Stop with lyrics changed.

"Stop right now, no more oil and gas. Stop burning fossil fuels and end this madness.

"Hey you, burning up the earth... we've had enough."

"You dirty, dirty bank" they sang.

Protestors outside Barclays AGM in central London


The singing continued for several minutes as the protesters were ushered out of the room and could still be heard outside the room when all singers had left.

It was the first of numerous disruptions as Fossil Free London used Shakespearean dialogue to sporadically interrupt speakers.

"Don't shuffle off this mortal coil", protestors said, "keep it in the soil" they added, referencing their call not to extract more fossil fuels.

Climate activist dressed as Barclays group chairman Nigel Higgins


Groans were audible as individuals started Shakespearean speeches after other protesters were escorted out.

Barclays group chairman Nigel Higgins said he wished the protesters "would shuffle off". The Barclays company secretary and Mr Higgins continued to speak throughout speeches.

"I'm sorry about this because I know the vast majority have come here to ask questions and we can't respond to this", Mr Higgins said.

Individual protesters also stood up with signs and shouted calls not to invest in new fossil fuel projects, with one man seen carried out of the venue.

Climate protestors outside Barclays AGM


Mr Higgins said the bank has enhanced climate measure and welcomes feedback on how they can improve.

In the AGM notice, Barclays said: "Addressing the climate challenge continues to be one of the board's top priorities, and we have made progress in implementing our strategy, as set out in detail in our 2022 annual report."

Protestor being removed from the Barclays AGM


"We have also brought forward the phase-out of US (and all OECD) coal-fired power financing from 2035 to 2030".

"There have been calls, including from the IEA [International Energy Agency] and the UN, for no new oil and gas exploration if the world is to stay below 1.5 degrees warming.

"At the same time, the war in Ukraine has shone a new light on the importance of energy security and affordability for countries around the world.

"Any transition to a low carbon economy needs to ensure communities have access to affordable energy."

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Former Welsh First Minister Addresses Unionist Concerns Over Irish Language
King Charles Leads Tribute to Air India Crash Victims at Trooping the Colour
Jack Pitchford Embarks on 200-Mile Walk to Support Stem Cell Charity
Surrey Hikers Take on Challenge of Climbing 11 Peaks in a Single Day
UK Deploys RAF Jets to Middle East Amid Israel-Iran Tensions
Two Skydivers Die in 'Tragic Accident' at Devon Airfield
Sainsbury's and Morrisons Accused of Displaying Prohibited Tobacco Ads
UK Launches National Inquiry into Grooming Gangs
Families Seek Closure After Air India Crash
Gold Emerges as Global Safe Haven Amid Uncertainty
Trump Reports $57 Million Earnings from Crypto Venture
Trump's Military Parade Sparks Concerns Over Authoritarianism
Nationwide 'No Kings' Protests Challenge Trump's Leadership
UK Deploys Jets to Middle East Amid Rising Tensions
Trump's Anti-War Stance Tested Amid Israel-Iran Conflict
Germany Holds First Veterans Celebration Since WWII
U.S. Health Secretary Dismisses CDC Vaccine Advisory Committee
Minnesota Lawmaker Melissa Hortman and Husband Killed in Targeted Attack; Senator John Hoffman and Wife Injured
Exiled Iranian Prince Reza Pahlavi Urges Overthrow of Khamenei Regime
HSBC Accelerates Chairman Succession as Mark Tucker Prepares Departure
Wreck of $17 Billion San José Galleon Identified Off Colombia After 300 Years
Cristina Kirchner Requests House Arrest Citing Assassination Risk
Beata Thunberg Rebrands as Beata Ernman Amidst Sister's Activism Controversy
Israel Issues Ultimatum to Iran Over Potential Retaliation and Nuclear Facilities
Black Box Recovered from Air India Crash Site
Sole Survivor of Air India Crash Recounts Escape
UK and EU Reach New Economic Agreement
Coinbase CEO Warns Bitcoin Could Supplant US Dollar Amid Mounting National Debt
Trump to Iran: Make a Deal — Sign or Die
Two Women Found Dead in Eryri National Park
Operation "Like a Lion": Israel Strikes Iran in Unprecedented Offensive
Pentagon Initiates Review of AUKUS Nuclear Submarine Pact
Meta to Invest $15 Billion in Scale AI to Advance AGI Goals
Rare Cancer Cases Triple Among Millennials, Alarming Doctors
G7 Finance Ministers Convene in Canada with Focus on Ukraine and Trade Tariffs
UK Spending Review Prioritizes Health and Defence Amid Budget Constraints
US Raises Security Concerns Over Proposed Chinese Embassy in London
Defined Benefit Pension Reforms Expected to Unlock Limited Investment
UK Industrial Strategy Launch Delayed Amid Budget Negotiations
Crick Institute Seeks Additional Funding to Attract International Scientists
Zia Yusuf Returns to Reform UK in New Role After Brief Resignation
Bezos's Lavish Venice Wedding Sparks Local Protests
US Urges UK to Raise Defence Spending to 5% of GDP
Europe Prepares for Historic Lunar Rover Landing
Italian Parents Seek Therapy Amid Lengthy School Holidays
British Fishing Vessel Seized by France Fined €30,000
Dutch Government Collapses Amid Migration Policy Dispute
Germany Moves to Expedite Migrant Deportations
UK Commits to 3.5% GDP Defence Spending Under NATO Pressure
Scientist Returns Royal Society Prize in Protest Over Elon Musk's Fellowship
×