MPs order RBS boss to appear before committee over closure plans

The Scottish Affairs Committee has summoned Royal Bank of Scotland chief executive Ross McEwan to appear before it to be quizzed on the 72 per cent state-owned lender’s proposals to shut 62 RBS banks across Scotland.

Last month RBS announced plans for a partial reprieve for 10 of the branches named on its cull list in December, however, Pete Wishart MP, who is chair of the Scottish Affair Committee said the committee was disappointed Mr McEwan had not “meaningfully engaged” with previous requests to set a date to appear and that “RBS is a company still owned by the taxpayer and we still have many questions.”

Writing to Mr McEwan, Mr Wishart said: “Should you not respond positively to this letter the committee will have no alternative but to consider using its formal powers to summon you.”

An RBS spokesman later confirmed that Mr McEwan would appear before the Scottish Affairs Committee, saying: “We look forward to continuing a positive dialogue with the Committee and providing answers as required.”

It is expected that the committee will ask how RBS would respond to a request from the government, as a majority shareholder, to reconsider the closures.

They also want to know the reason behind last month’s decision to delay the closures of some branches due to shut in May and not other.

A part of the bank’s conditions for granting a stay of execution of ten branches was that these branches would be subject to some form of assessment at the end of the year.

The criteria which will be used to carry out this assessment of viability is also expected to be the subject of the committee’s questions.

The committee has also requested details of the conversations between RBS bosses and the UK and Scottish governments after December’s original closure decision.

Mr Wishart’s letter continues: “These are issues that the committee wishes to explore, in person, with you, as the individual ultimately responsible for decisions made by RBS.”