Anti-capitalist protesters bank £30,000 donations

Anti-capitalist protesters camped in the City have received £30,000 in donations from the public.

The Occupy London movement said it has spent half that amount on running costs for its two camp sites out- side St Paul's Cathedral and Finsbury Square since they were set up three months ago.

The group also revealed it has just over £14,500 in its bank account and is still receiving regular donations from well-wishers both online and in person, acquiring almost £2,100 in the last week.

Members of the Occupy camp decided to publish their accounts in response to accusations from some demonstrators that funds were being misused.

Ronan McNern, a spokesman for the group, denied that there had been any financial irregularity and said new processes had been put in place to increase transparency and accountability.

"Occupy London grew very fast, with lots of people involved," he said. "Our new finance group put in place a spending freeze for a week while we looked at the issues and tried to reach a consensus decision on how to keep a better record of our spending.

"We agreed that we need to show greater financial transparency ourselves when that's what we're calling on the City to do."

Mr McNern said the majority of the funds had gone towards food and the rest on maintaining portable lavatories as well as equipment and leaflets.

"Public support has been particularly strong over the Christmas period," he said. "We're planning on doing more community work in the coming months.

"We are also in talks with a number of bands and artists about staging a live music event soon."

A breakdown of ex- penditure reveals that it included £1,305 for portable lavatories over the past four weeks, plus £400 on stab-proof vests and walkie talkies after threats.

In addition, the protesters' team of press officers spent nearly £600 on equipment and mobile phone bills.

An impounded car cost £172 to retrieve and £79 was spent on taxis.

Details of the donations come after Paternoster Square, where the London Stock Exchange is located, was re-opened to the public.

The Square was cordoned off to stop protesters setting up camp but was re-opened shortly before Christmas with a "maze" of metal barriers in place in an attempt to prevent tents being put up.

The High Court is due to rule within the next fortnight on whether the protesters should be evicted from outside St Paul's.

The City of London Corporation is seeking an injunction against the demonstrators after claiming their tents are blocking the highway.

The camp has received high-profile backing, with Dame Vivienne Westwood speaking to members.