XR activists throw pink paint over City office while waving banners in latest stunt 

Extinction Rebellion protestors today threw pink paint over an office building in the heart of the City of London in the group’s latest climate change stunt.

Activists waved ‘End Corruption’ banners as they daubed the headquarters of UK Finance – a trade body which represents more than 300 firms across the industry – at Angel Court, near Bank, in paint. 

A large sticker reading ‘corrupt’ was also plastered on the window of the building. Six people have been arrested in connection with the demonstration.

It is the group’s latest stunt, after targeting London Fashion Week last month by pouring fake oil over a red carpet outside the show.

A spokesperson said Extinction Rebellion targeted the UK Finance building today to highlight how Britain’s financial system ‘prioritises profit over people and planet’. 

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Extinction Rebellion protestors today threw pink paint over the outside of an office in the heart of the City of London in the group’s latest climate change stunt

The activists waved ‘End Corruption’ banners as they daubed the headquarters of UK Finance at Angel Court, near Bank in paint

The action comes on the day that the Financial Services and Markets (FSM) Bill will pass the Committee Stage in Parliament.

XR claims the bill in its current form hands more power to banks by further deregulating the economy, and ‘paving the way for another financial crisis’.

Fiona Guillespie, an activist the group described as a ‘concerned mother’, said: ‘The bankers own the earth. 

‘Take it away from them, but leave them the power to create money, and with the flick of the pen they will create enough deposits to buy it back again.

‘They are morally bankrupt and are self-serving agents who will stop at nothing in their quest for more power at any cost.’

It comes ahead of its major protest in Westminster in April, in which organisers hope to see 100,000 people gathering outside the Houses of Parliament. 

Fellow campaigner Dean Bowles added: ‘The financial system is rigged so those with wealth gain much more, whilst those who have the least pay the most for its ‘service’. 

‘The Financial Services and Markets Bill is yet another example of unrestrained greed dressed up as growth for all while being told there’s simply not enough money to transition away from fossil fuels. 

‘It re-enables the mentality that brought about the 2008 market crash.

‘The lies committed in our name have become too brazen and too blatant to ignore, so I acted today to highlight The UK Finance Group and its role in gambling away all our futures. 

‘We all need to come together on April 21 outside the Houses of Parliament to act together against the vested interests that claim to act on behalf of our future.’

Extinction Rebellion protesters staged a demonstration outside the penultimate day of the London Fashion Week last month

Eco zealots poured fake oil on a red carpet before letting off smoke grenades in a demonstration against fossil fuels and Coca-Cola on February 20 (pictured)

Last month, activists set off smoke bombs and covered the floor in black paint as they targeted London Fashion Week.

About 30 eco-zealots stormed 180 The Strand – where the fashion show was staged – in a protest against the ‘world’s biggest polluter’, Coca-Cola. 

Climate change agitators in white overalls paraded up and down a red catwalk before drenching it in fake oil from two giant Coca-Cola bottles, as others set off black smoke grenades around them. 

Demonstrators also held large banners outside the world-leading fashion event, saying ‘Cut the ties to fossil fuels‘ and ‘Coca-Cola: World’s top plastic polluter’ as they demanded London Fashion Week organisers drop Coca-Cola as a sponsor.

Coca-Cola has insisted it is taking action to reduce its environmental impact, pledging to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 25 per cent by 2030, adding that it ‘shares the goal of eliminating waste and appreciates efforts to raise awareness’.

A UK Finance spokesperson told MailOnline: ‘UK Finance and our members take the issues of climate change and the transition to Net Zero very seriously. 

‘The banking and finance sector is playing a key role in supporting decarbonisation and our members are committed to helping finance the transition across the economy. 

‘The banking and finance sector is also committed to decarbonising its portfolios and financing the green economy in line with the UK’s sustainability goals.’