Activists disrupt Lloyds Bank shareholder meeting

LONDON, May 16 (Reuters) -

Activists disrupted Lloyds Banking Group's annual shareholder meeting in Glasgow on Thursday, protesting against its alleged provision of financial services to defence firms linked to violence in the Middle East.

Lloyds Chairman Robin Budenberg requested the removal of at least two activists at the outset of the meeting, pleading with the protestors to reserve their questions until later in the proceedings.

Activists have in recent weeks targeted British banks including Barclays' annual shareholder gatherings, to protest the lenders' alleged indirect involvement in the Gaza conflict.

Barclays said it did not invest its own money in companies that supply weapons used by Israel in Gaza, and it only trades shares in such companies on behalf of clients. (Reporting By Sinead Cruise; Editing by Amanda Cooper)