Barclays is to hand over much-disputed internal documents relating to its dealings in Qatar to the Serious Fraud Squad (SFO); the bank has until now resisted handing over the documents that concern communications from a fundraising in 2008, citing they contained legal advice protected by attorney-client privilege. The SFO said it had received an official request for information about Barclays’ handling of Qatar’s 2022 World Cup bid.
Barclays is to hand over much-disputed internal documents relating to its dealings in Qatar to the Serious Fraud Squad (SFO); the bank has until now resisted handing over the documents that concern communications from a fundraising in 2008, citing they contained legal advice protected by attorney-client privilege. The bank has been under investigation by the SFO since 2012 concerning two emergency cash injections received from its Middle East investors during the financial crisis, which stopped Barclays having to be bailed out by the government, as Lloyds and RBS were.