RBS faces systemic fraud allegations following BBC investigation

Former employee Mark Wright told the BBC that falsifying files was “common practice” and that he was aware of telephone transcripts which did not accurately reflect what customers had told his colleagues.

Mr Wright also told the BBC - which has published a full account of his allegations - that he was “suspicious of wrong doing from 2005 to 2012”.

He claims that his standing within the bank suffered enormously because he raised concerns about fraudulent practices.

RBS firmly denies the allegations.

It told the BBC that it takes allegations of misconduct very seriously and that it had found no evidence to support the allegations.

RGL Management Limited, which is bringing a class action against RBS on ten grounds of alleged malfeasance including document tampering, aided the BBC investigation.

James Hayward, CEO of RGL, said: “We have been supporting the BBC by giving access to members of our group on whose behalf we will be bringing a compensation claim against RBS in the near future. The BBC has uncovered shocking examples of fraud and destructive behaviour which are, tragically, comparable to many of the cases seen from claimants who have joined our group.”

He added: “The perversity of the situation at GRG was that good businesses were actively targeted by the bank as they had assets and cash that could be taken. Ironically an unhealthy business was safer as it offered RBS no profit potential. The effect of the bank’s actions was to needlessly destroy viable businesses, lives and livelihoods.”