Royal Bank of Scotland is bracing for a costly court battle with shareholders that is to see former boss Fred Goodwin defend his role in the lender's near collapse during the financial crisis.

The last member of former Royal Bank of Scotland boss Fred Goodwin's failed top team is set to leave the group with a £517,000 (€585,529)-a-year pension.

Part-nationalised Royal Bank of Scotland’s clear-out of Fred Goodwin’s former regime continued today after finance director Guy Whittaker agreed to step down.

Part-nationalised Royal Bank of Scotland's finance director is to step down, it was reported today.