Daily Mail

Barclays bosses’ plea

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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.

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