Protesters force Vodafone stores to shut

Campaigners have threatened to extend direct action protests after once again forcing Vodafone stores to shut. Activists have gathered under the banner of UK Uncut to demonstrate against Vodafone, claiming it has been let off a tax bill – an allegation strongly denied by both the company and HM Revenue and Customs. After another day of protests today, campaigners said they planned to target other high street stores and banks. The Vodafone store in Broadmead in Bristol was among those closed as protesters gathered. Simon, a 21-year-old telesales fundraiser and a member of the Anarchist Federation, said: "It's unfair that the government is attacking poor people by making cuts when larger businesses and banks continue to get away with it." The movement was launched by a group of friends after they attended an anti-cuts demonstration. It has grown through social media including Twitter. Vodafone stores across the country have been targeted. Others shut today, at least temporarily, included one in Glasgow, Oxford Street in central London, and Cambridge. In Brighton picketers handed out 1,000 leaflets in two hours. A Vodafone spokesman described the tax claims as a "complete and utter fallacy." The spokesman said some stores were shut for a few minutes as a precaution.