Former RBS boss has 'difficulty' in believing claims

A former boss of RBS says he has "real difficulty" believing the allegations being made about the bank.

The Royal Bank of Scotland faces accusations that it deliberately drove some small companies into liquidation in order to seize their assets.

Former Chairman and CEO of RBS Sir George Mathewson told BBC Radio 5 live's Breakfast: "I have difficulty in believing that people in the bank deliberately forced companies down to make profits.

"The whole role of that department was to reduce losses... and many good, positive things were achieved by them over the years... I think these accusations will be very difficult to prove."