A BRADFORD city centre bank will remain closed for the next few days after it was splashed with red paint in a pro-Palestine protest. 

The incident, at Barclays on Market Street, happened in the early hours of Monday morning.

Palestine Action claimed responsibility for the attack, along with others in Bolton, Manchester, and Brighton.

The group alleges that Barclays invests in Elbit Systems, which it claims is Israel's biggest weapons firm. 

In a statement to the T&A, a spokesperson for Barclays said: “We provide vital financial services to US, UK and European public companies that supply defence products to NATO and its allies.

"Barclays does not directly invest in these companies.​

"The defence sector is fundamental to our national security and the UK government has been clear that supporting defence companies is compatible with ESG considerations.

"Decisions on the implementation of arms embargos to other nations are the job of respective elected governments.”

“The safety of our customers, colleagues and local community is our priority and we would ask that those expressing their views stop short of criminal damage to our facilities, which puts people’s safety at risk.”

Today, the Bradford branch remains closed and will remain so over the next few days.

A spokesperson said: “We are still assessing the damage and the Bradford branch will remain closed today and for the next few days to allow remediation works to be completed.

“We apologise for any inconvenience to customers.”

Police are continuing to investigate. Anyone with information should contact police via 101 quoting 13240296623.