Police charge Doyle and four others

Former Abbey National marketing services manager Mike Doyle has been charged with conspiracy to defraud the high street bank.

Doyle was charged last week with four others including his brother, James, and wife, Bethan, after an investigation by the Fraud Office. The others are Stuart Nicholson – formerly of Major Taylor Nicholson – and Stephen Bracken from ASB Consulting.

All five are accused of conspiracy to defraud Abbey National and will appear before City of London magistrates on April 19.

The charges arise from Abbey National allegations that Doyle, and named suppliers, conspired to charge it either for work that was not done or they overcharged for work in hand. As much as £120,000 is believed to be involved. Doyle was suspended from his job in August and arrested in October but released without charge.

City of London Police say they do not rule out further charges.

* Abbey National is pursuing a civil action against nine defendants, including the five. There was a preliminary hearing of the civil case on Tuesday at which the bank sought access to greater information from those charged, but it will be delayed until the criminal case is tried.