Barclays agrees to hand over internal documents to Serious Fraud Office

Bank, which is being investigated by SFO over its fundraising during financial crisis, had argued that documents were protected by client-lawyer privilege

Barclays has agreed to hand over internal documents to the Serious Fraud Office in a change of approach towards the SFO's investigation into its rescue fundraising during the financial crisis.

The bank will give the SFO communications linked to the inquiry into whether Barclays and its leaders made false and misleading statements about a 7bn deal with Middle Eastern investors.