Protesters leave office building within hours

The economic justice campaigners entered Roman House in the Barbican at about 3.30am Saturday, the fifth occupation they have carried out to date.

But they left the building, where they had planned to hold a public lecture claiming they did not want to put at risk the jobs of those working on the building.

In a statement they said: “Occupy London was contacted by individual workers employed by Berkeley Homes who were concerned for their job security as it transpired they were recently employed to help renovate the building.

“In light of these discussions, yesterday evening it was decided to leave the building.

“We trust that Berkeley Homes will ensure that their redevelopment of the site will make adequate provision for affordable housing.”

Campaigners initially vowed to remain at the abandoned block until the City of London Corporation published full details of its City cash accounts.

But Berkeley Homes urged them to vacate the building, expressing concerns they were putting themselves and the public “in real danger”.