Climate protesters camp at bank’s Edinburgh headquarters

A DAY of mass action in Edinburgh by climate protesters led to 12 arrests and caused major disruption.

An estimated 500 activists set up a Camp for Climate Action behind the Royal Bank of Scotland HQ to protest against its funding of fossil fuel companies which they say are destroying the planet.

But today the Edinburgh bank protesters said they would be leaving their camp.

Lothian and Borders Police said there had been no trouble overnight. Yesterday 12 campaigners were arrested and two bank branches closed, as activists protested across Edinburgh about the bank’s oil industry investments.

Many RBS staff were encouraged to stay at home after activists smashed windows and threw an oil-like substance at the Gogarburn building.

The campaigners claim the bank, which is 84%-owned by the taxpayer, is financing developments which could be dangerous for the environment – although RBS said it was one of the most active banks in the world in providing funding for renewable energy projects.

Branches at Edinburgh’s Nicolson Street and North Bridge, Hunter Square and the fly-over at the Gogar roundabout were the focus of protests, which included camp members gluing themselves to branch doors.

The action also saw activists bring Edinburgh traffic to a halt after they created an “oil slick” on two of the main routes into the city. Lothian and Borders Police said a substance similar to diesel or vegetable oil was poured on to the carriageways on the Edinburgh city bypass – the A720 at Bankhead – and the westbound A8.