A retired City banker and grandmother from Haslemere was among a group of local Extinction Rebellion protesters targeting the London offices of one of the world’s largest international law firms on Monday.

Jenny Condit, 73, was for 25 years a managing director of investment banking giant JP Morgan. But she is horrified that her former employer now tops the ‘dirty list’ for investments in fossil fuel industries – and she has campaigned with Extinction Rebellion (XR) for the past four years.

Speaking to the Herald while holding a ‘cut the ties to fossil fuels’ banner outside the offices of Eversheds Sutherland in the City of London, Jenny said: “I have children and grandchildren, and I do this for them and for every other living thing.”

She was among a group of XR Waverley & Borders protesters to take part in the ‘action’, five of whom were later arrested for crimes including being ‘equipped’ to cause criminal damage.

This after they were caught with fire extinguishers filled with a black fluid to simulate oil. This fluid, which Jenny said was “just grape juice”, had earlier been sprayed on to the walls of the law firm’s office by fellow protesters.

Jenny continued: “The reason we are here is because Eversheds represented the government in obtaining the injunction which stopped the protesters against both the HS2 and the extension of the pipeline from Southampton to Heathrow.

“Law firms, like any other business, can choose who they do business with, and we would like to see firms such as Evershed who enable fossil fuel companies to ‘cut their ties’.”

Jenny added protesters did not block access to Evershed’s offices, nor “intimidate” anyone – but instead played loud samba music, handed out leaflets, spoke to passers-by and even manned a giant elephant puppet to “raise consciousness” of the law firm’s fossil fuel interests.

To find out more about XR Waverley & Borders and how to get involved, email [email protected] or go along on November 30 at 7.30pm to the Unitarian Hall, Meadrow, Godalming, GU7 3JP as the group builds up to the next London Rebellion in April.