Barclays chief executive Bob Diamond resigned with immediate effect today in the wake of the rate-rigging scandal.
The American banker, who has faced mounting calls to step down, said: "The external pressure placed on Barclays has reached a level that risks damaging the franchise."
He added: "I am deeply disappointed that the impression created by the events announced last week about what Barclays and its people stand for could not be further from the truth."
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