Prudential shareholders accused the insurer today of a carrying out a “murky assassination” in its ousting of long-time chief executive Jonathan Bloomer.

Major investors in Prudential are planning talks with one of the Uk-based insurer’s key directors in a bid to force its boss to stand down, according to reports.

House prices surged ahead by a massive 3.4% in the UK during April - their highest monthly increase since records began, figures revealed today.