Scottish MPs put pressure on RBS boss to face closure questions

The chief executive of the Royal Bank of Scotland has been told to appear before MPs to answer questions on plans to close 62 banks across the country, and why 10 of them have been offered a partial reprieve.

In a letter the convenor of the Scottish Affairs Committee, Pete Wishart, told Ross McEwan there are "disappointed'' he has not "meaningfully engaged'' with previous requests to set a date to appear.

It adds: "Should you not respond positively to this letter the committee will have no alternative but to consider using its formal powers to summon you to appear before it.''

Questions the committee wants answered include how RBS would respond to a request from the government, as a majority shareholder, to reconsider the closures.

They also want to know why RBS decided to delay the closures of some branches due to shut in May, why this did not cover other branches and how the performance of branches given a six-month extension to prove viability will be judged.

The committee also requests details of the conversations RBS had with the UK and Scottish governments after the closure decision.

The letter points out RBS personal banking executive Les Matthewson has given information but the committee believes this fails to provide the answers needed.

It continues: "These are issues that the committee wishes to explore, in person, with you, as the individual ultimately responsible for decisions made by RBS.''

Mr Wishart said: "RBS is a company that is still owned by the taxpayer and we still have many questions about the decision-making process that will lead to so many communities in Scotland being left without vital banking services.

"We also want more details on the branches that have been given a reprieve - on what basis will they be judged viable in the long-term and why wasn't this opportunity afforded to all affected branches.''

RBS has said the closures are in response to changes, including increased digital banking.

An RBS spokeswoman said: "We would like to thank Mr Wishart for his latest correspondence and we can confirm that Ross McEwan will appear before the Scottish Affairs Committee.

"As one of the largest private employers in Scotland and an organisation which supports Scotland across a breadth of social and economic endeavours, we are very regularly in touch with politicians, local councillors and other community leaders.

"We have engaged fully with the Committee and provided very detailed responses both in person and in writing. We look forward to continuing a positive dialogue with the Committee and providing further answers as required."

• RBS