Richard Curtis takes up a plush seat at Wimbledon Royal Box despite slamming tournament organisers

The Daily Mail

Richard Curtis takes up a plush seat at Wimbledon Royal Box despite slamming tournament organisers

Full Article Source

today took up a plush seat in the Wimbledon Royal Box, just days after signing a letter slamming tournament organisers for 'profiting from climate chaos' by having Barclays as a sponsor. The Love Actually director, 66, signed a letter to Sally Bolton - chief executive of the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) - objecting to the bank on climate change grounds ahead of the event kicking off on Monday. At the tournament in SW19 this afternoon, Curtis wore a dark suit with a light blue tie and could be seen chatting to former Pointless co-presenter Richard Osman in the box. Other signatories to the letter included Dame , musician Brian Eno, Green MP Caroline Lucas, Dragons' Den star and retail consultant and broadcaster . The campaigners wrote: 'Barclays is financing and profiting from climate chaos, and accepting a sponsorship deal from them is an endorsement of these actions.' Wimbledon announced Barclays as its official banking partner in November as the bank took over from HSBC. The signatories also said Wimbledon's partnership was not 'consistent' with the Grand Slam event's environmental policies. The letter also stated: 'We hope you will reconsider this decision, and end your partnership with Barclays. 'In taking such action, you can show real climate leadership, and maintain the AELTC's proud position of cultural and sporting leadership, both in the UK and across the world.' Earlier this week a spokesperson for the AELTC highlighted Barclays' support of the charity Wimbledon Foundation and the championship's ambition to make a 'positive impact on the environment'. The statement also said: 'We know this is one of the defining challenges of our times and we are fully committed to playing our part. 'From using 100% renewable electricity and offering low carbon options on our menus, to sending zero waste to landfill and promoting a culture of reuse, we're working hard to achieve a positive environmental impact across all of our operations.' A spokesperson for Barclays said 'addressing climate change is an urgent and complex challenge' and the company has provided 87 billion of green finance over the last five years. They also said that oil and gas companies are 'critical to the transition, and have committed significant resources and expertise to renewable energy'. 'Where companies are unwilling to reduce their emissions consistent with internationally accepted pathways, they may find it difficult to access financing, including from Barclays,' the statement added. Representatives for Richard Curtis have been approached for comment.