Barclays It had previously advocated providing banking services to companies in the defense and arms industries.

A spokesman for the bank said: “Barclays is committed to respecting human rights as defined in the International Declaration of Human Rights and takes into account other internationally recognized human rights standards and frameworks.

“We have a published statement on defense and security which sets out our policy positions in the defense and security sector and regulates all business activity, including placing restrictions on certain financing activities and requiring appropriately enhanced due diligence for clients in the sector.

“As a universal bank, Barclays provides a range of client services relating to shares of public companies, including the defense and security sector.”