Canaccord Capital Inc. has confirmed that a senior member with its U.K. unit, Canaccord Capital (Europe) Ltd., was the victim of an attack by animal rights activists.

According to a communique released on a Web site associated with the Animal Liberation Front, the ALF planted a fire bomb under the car of Canaccord executive Michael Kendall on May 19. The ALF says it estimates that this device blew his car up.

Today, Canaccord chairman and CEO, Peter Brown, confirmed the attack.

“A senior member of our U.K. operation was subject of an attack by animal rights activists as part of their opposition to Phytopharm, a biotech company recently underwritten by Canaccord. Canaccord acted as financier for Phytopharm and has never been a beneficial shareholder of the company,” said Brown, in a statement.

As a result of the attack, Canaccord has resigned as broker for Phytopharm. “Although we believe that Phytopharm is a high quality company and an innocent victim in this issue, Canaccord regrets having to resign its position as the company’s joint broker,” Brown said. “Canaccord’s priority is always the safety and protection its partners and professionals.”

The ALF says the firm was targeted because of its relationship with Phytopharm, which in turn does business with long-time ALF target, Huntingdon Life Sciences.

“If you support or raise funds for any company associated with HLS we will track you down, come for you and destroy your property by fire,” the group said in a statement posted on a Web site.