TWO activists who scaled a 10-metre column at the Royal Exchange to protest against “bloody” insurers had their charges dropped today.

The pair were arrested for criminal damage in March after they unfurled a banner calling for a boycott against insurers complicit in the genocide in Gaza, fossil fuel destruction and violent border regimes.

Following the dismissal, one of the climbers, Poppy, said it was “a reminder that it is not a crime to stand up against imperialist institutions backing fossil fuel devastation, the machinery of genocide and migrant detention.”

The other climber, Oliver, said: “The crown’s decision only strengthens our commitment. 

“Across the country, people are realising they don’t have to buy insurance from companies funding harm.”

Research by Boycott Bloody Insurance found that Allianz underwrites Elbit Systems, Israel’s largest arms firm, while Aviva underwrites PetroChina, G4S and Serco. 

AXA provides cover to Drax, which runs Britain’s largest carbon emitter, and AIG underwrites BP.