Vodafone blast after blockade

Mobile phone giant Vodafone was forced on the defensive after protesters blockaded stores over claims it has an unpaid tax bill of £6bn.

Around 150 “anti-cuts” campaigners spent Saturday gathered outside stores, including one in York, blockading them with banners and bicycles.

Vodafone dismissed the claim and said it had paid its taxes.

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A spokesman said: “We’ve seen protests outside a small number of our UK stores. We temporarily closed some of them and diverted customers to other locations. Most have since reopened.

“Reports suggesting that we have an outstanding tax bill for 6bn are incorrect.”

But campaigner Deborah Lee said: “The Government is writing off the taxes from big business while treating normal people on benefits like criminals.”

A spokesman for HM Revenue and Customs said: “There is no question of Vodafone having an outstanding tax liability of 6bn. That number is an urban myth.”