Tesco and Sainsbury's were tipped by one Sunday newspaper as two of the likely targets of environmental and human rights groups that have made their intentions to disrupt this year's round of annual general meetings.

The Observer predicted a concerted three-month campaign by NGOs, aimed at blue chip firms whose boards will be forced to publicly answer a variety of allegations, ranging from 'environmental destruction in some cases to bribery and the mistreatment of Third World people in others'.

Both Tesco and Sainsbury's could therefore be dragged into the latest burst of publicity seeking antics of a Friends of the Earth inspired campaign which has bought up shares in 18 high-profile UK companies in order to gain access to agms.

British American Tobacco and Rio Tinto have already been on the wrong end - the UK's top two multiple retailers can expect similar treatment, said the article.

Topics