Venezuelan bank files legal claim with Bank of England over gold

The Central Bank of Venezuela has launched a legal claim to try and force the bank of England to release €930m ($1bn; £820m) worth of gold it holds.

Venezuela, which is already under us sanctions, says it wants to use the gold’s value to tackle coronavirus.

The proceedings follow a request, made weeks ago, asking for the value to be transferred to the United Nations.

Legal documents say the bank wants the transfer made “as a matter of urgency” to buy supplies like food and medicine.

The country has so far reported 618 coronavirus cases and 10 deaths.

Venezuela’s economy has collapsed under the leadership of president Nicolás Maduro, whose leadership is not recognised by dozens of nations including the uk and the US.