And finally… deal or no deal

TV presenter Noel Edmonds is seeking £70 million in compensation from Lloyds Banking Group over the HBOS fraud scandal.

Mr Edmonds’ former business Unique is one of those caught up in the scam that took place at HBOS’s division in Reading from 2003-07.

Six bankers siphoned as much as £245 million from small and struggling businesses during the five-year scam.

Bank staff were bribed with sex parties, luxury holidays, expensive watches and cash to refer HBOS clients to Quayside Corporate Services, which then asset-stripped the troubled businesses.

Solicitor Jonathan Coad of Keystone Law has written to Lloyds chief executive António Horta-Osório demanding £73 million in damages.

The letter claims Mr Edmonds faced “losses of tens of millions of pounds, along with his suffering deep distress and public humiliation”.

Mr Edmonds said: “I confirm my lawyers have sent a detailed claim letter seeking compensation from Lloyds for the losses that I suffered as a result of fraud committed against me by one of its managers.

“I am now trusting that Mr Horta-Osorio ensures I am ‘fairly, swiftly and appropriately’ compensated.”

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