Former Barclays execs face questioning

A number of ex-Barclays executives are to be questioned by the UK’s Serious Fraud Office (SFO) as part of an investigation into an investment deal in Qatar.

The former bank employees set to be formally interviewed include ex-chief executives Bob Diamond and John Varley, reports the Financial Times.

The SFO are conducting an enquiry into allegations surrounding £322 million made in payments during the deal in 2008 in order to gain support for a £5 billion fundraising scheme.

A spokesman for Mr Diamond told reporters he would “continue to assist wherever he can on anything related to Barclays, but he is unable to comment on any specific inquiry”.

Barclays is already facing a £50 million fine from the Financial Conduct Authority over the Qatar investment deal because it breached a number of disclosure rules – although the bank is currently contesting the fine and argues the payments were advice fees.

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