MPs release controversial report into RBS's restructuring unit

An influential group of MPs has branded the findings of a report into the Royal Bank of Scotland's mistreatment of small businesses "disgraceful" after wielding parliamentary privilege to publish the controversial dossier.

The Treasury Select Committee (TSC) said there was "overwhelming public interest" in shifting the Global Restructuring Group (GRG) report into the public domain after it was widely leaked online and through social media.

The move came after Andrew Bailey, head of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), was ordered by the TSC earlier this month to publish the document on GRG, the banking giant's much-criticised restructuring arm.

RBS has been dogged by allegations that GRG intentionally pushed small businesses towards failure in the hope of picking up their assets on the cheap.

In a statement, TSC chair Nicky Morgan said: "The findings in the report are disgraceful.

"The overarching priority at all levels of GRG was not the health and strength of customers, but the generation of income for RBS, through made-up fees, high interest rates, and the acquisition of equity and property.

"The committee has not taken the decision to publish lightly.

"Normally, reports prepared under section 166 are confidential, but there is overwhelming public interest in bringing transparency to what happened at GRG, given the earlier leak of the report, and in ensuring that everyone can see, and know that they are seeing, an authentic and verified copy of Promontory's original report."