Jes Staley, Barclays’ embattled chief executive, has won the backing of some big shareholders in his fight against a US activist investor that wants him to step down because of links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Sherborne Investors, which holds a roughly 5.8% stake in Barclays, this week called on shareholders to withdraw from voting for the re-election of Staley at the bank’s 7 May annual general meeting.