Gordon Brown delivered his strongest signal yet that stricken bank Northern Rock could face nationalisation.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown tonight delivered his strongest signal yet that stricken bank Northern Rock could face nationalisation.

Rebel shareholders in beleaguered British mortgage lender Northern Rock were today frustrated in their bid to gain a greater say in the future of the firm.

UK Chancellor Alistair Darling suffered fresh attacks over his handling of the Northern Rock crisis today amid speculation that the crippled lender faces imminent nationalisation.

The board of beleaguered Northern Rock will attempt to fight off demands from shareholders for a greater say in the firm’s future at an extraordinary meeting this week amid speculation the bank could be renationalised within days.

A third major shareholder in crisis-hit lender Northern Rock today lent its backing to plans giving investors a bigger say over the future of the stricken firm.

The board of Northern Rock is considering the possibility of an “in-house” rescue for the stricken bank, it was reported today.

The chairman of crisis-hit Northern Rock today urged investors to reject proposals from the lender’s two largest shareholders, saying they could hinder a rescue of the stricken business.

Shareholders of beleaguered Northern Rock were facing up to more heavy losses today after the company admitted rescue plans for the group were “materially below” the company’s current value.

Beleaguered mortgage lender Northern Rock’s shares surged nearly 25% today after a Monaco-based hedge fund built up a 4% stake in the business.