Raider boosts Barclays stake

CORPORATE raider Edward Bramson has raised his investment in Barclays amid fears he is gearing up to demand sweeping changes at the bank.

A stock market filing shows the New Yorker controls 5.41pc of the bank’s shares, up from 5.16pc. Although he has not spoken to Barclays about his plans, his business, Sherborne Investors, stands to earn huge fees by forcing the board to appoint new directors.

There is fevered speculation in the City that the 67-year-old wants Barclays to sell or shut its prized trading business to boost returns.

Barclays is due to hold its annual meeting next week and Bramson could use the gathering to make his intentions public.