Some uncertainty may have been lifted for Barclays' (BARC) investors. A crown court dismissed charges of unlawful financial assistance against the bank and its parent, in relation to its $3bn (£2.24bn) loan to the State of Qatar in 2008. It also threw out charges against the plc of conspiring with certain former senior advisers and employees to commit fraud by false representation, regarding two advisory services agreements with Qatar Holding the same year.
But the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) is likely to apply to a High Court judge to recommence the proceedings via a new indictment on the same charges, Barclays said. The SFO said it was considering its position. The charges were the first set to be brought in the UK against a bank for actions taken during the financial crisis.
