Man in court over plot to disrupt London Stock Exchange

A man has appeared in court charged in relation to plans to disrupt the London Stock Exchange.

Sean Middleborough, 31, of Woodlee Road, Liverpool, appeared at Wirral Magistrates' Court charged with conspiracy to cause a public nuisance.

The defendant, wearing a grey tracksuit, spoke to confirm his name, age and address.

Five others were arrested in London, Liverpool and Brighton on Sunday.

Mr Middleborough was remanded in custody until 12 February, when he will appear at Suffolk Crown Court for a plea and trial preparation hearing.

Activists from the group Palestine Action were allegedly plotting to target the London Stock Exchange on Monday, the Met said.

The force said activists had been planning to stop the exchange from opening for trading by "locking on" to the building, and causing damage.

The Met said there was a "suggestion that this was one part of a planned week of action".

The arrests were prompted by information shared by the Daily Express.

Speaking on Sunday, Det Supt Sian Thomas described the arrests as "significant".

A woman, 29, from Brent in north London, a 23-year-old man from Tower Hamlets in east London, two women, aged 28 and 26, from Liverpool, and a 27-year-old man who was arrested in Brighton have been bailed pending further inquiries.