PROTESTERS are expected to gather outside Glasgow City Council next week to campaign against an £18.9 million investment into four major arms companies.

A recent report indicates that the Strathclyde Pension Fund (SPF), administered by the local authority, has invested £18,886,971 in four defence firms.

Airbus, Raytheon, Lockheed Martin and Northrup Grumman are believed to have supplied weapons linked to the conflict in Yemen which has led to the death of thousands.

Glasgow protest groups say the money should be used in a more ethical way.

But SPF claim most of the money has been invested in a civilian aviation firm and only a small percentage went to arms dealers.

On May 15, at 1pm, protestors will lobby outside Glasgow City Council chambers demanding SPF “divest” from their investment and create a more ethical scheme.

With 50-100 people expected at the demonstration, trade unions, local councillors and community campaigners are likely to attend.

They will hand a letter to council leader Susan Aitken demanding the organisation take back the cash to avoid women and children being killed these conflicts.

Sean Clerkin, community campaigner, said: “The £18.9m given to these companies is disgraceful. Strathclyde pension fund are investing in wars which are unethical and immoral”

SPF said they committed to following the principles and guidelines of the United Nations.

A spokesman for SPF said: “These figures show very limited exposure relative to the value of the fund – less than 0.1 per cent, most of which is invested in a primarily civilian aviation firm.

“The fund is a signatory to and active participant in the United Nations principles for responsible investment and has appointed independent monitors to ensure these principles are adhered to by its investment managers.”