Barclays bosses’ plea
EMBATTLED Barclays executives facing criminal charges over a fundraising deal have made a last-ditch plea for leniency.
Eight former bosses have been investigated by the Serious Fraud Office, which is examining a rescue by Middle Eastern investors who pumped £7bn into the bank in 2008 as it teetered on the brink of collapse.
It meant Barclays avoided a state bailout, as well as Government scrutiny of its bonuses and high-risk practices.
But the lender is alleged to have illegally paid Qatari investors £322m to take part.
The Serious Fraud Office has previously interviewed a string of top Barclays bankers under caution, including former chief executives John Varley and Bob Diamond, and ex-Middle East head Roger Jenkins.
Several suspects have now contacted the SFO to explain why they shouldn’t be charged, according to Bloomberg.
The SFO is expected to make a decision this month. Barclays declined to comment.