PROTESTERS in London walked a Trojan Horse into the British Museum today to protest at the institution’s continued support for BP.

Activists belonging to the pressure group BP or Not BP? walked the 13-foot-tall horse through the museum’s gates in protest at the sponsorship of its new exhibition about Troy by the oil company.

The National Galleries Scotland and the Royal Shakespeare Company no longer receive money from BP, which paid no corporation tax in Britain this year.

However the British Museum has publicly stated that it is “proud” to receive money from them.

The group of 15 protesters inside the horse planned to stay in the museum’s forecourt overnight, ahead of a mass demonstration planned for 1pm on Saturday outside the gates.

BP or Not BP? spokeswoman Helen Glynn said: “The Troy exhibition has inspired us to create this magnificent beast, because the Trojan Horse is the perfect metaphor for BP sponsorship.

“On its surface the sponsorship looks like a generous gift, but inside lurks death and destruction.

“This is our 40th performance intervention at the British Museum. For eight years our peaceful creative protests have been dismissed and the museum has continued to back BP.

“Now the planet is literally burning.”

A British Museum spokeswoman said: “We can confirm a small group of 15 protesters are trespassing on site.

“We are awaiting advice from the police. We regret that this action may mean disruption to visitor access to the galleries this morning.”