The FTSE 100 slipped on Friday as Brent crude surged to its highest level since May on fresh worries over the war with Iran, while official figures showed UK retail sales fell by more than expected in September.
The blue-chip index was down about 0.4% in early trading, with other European markets also lower. Sterling eased 0.12% against the US dollar to $1.3377 (£1.00).