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Ed Miliband adds voice to calls for banking inquiry Ed Miliband calls for banking inquiry
(40 minutes later)
 
Labour leader Ed Miliband has called for a public inquiry into banking after a series of scandals in the sector.Labour leader Ed Miliband has called for a public inquiry into banking after a series of scandals in the sector.
Barclays employees who colluded with others to fix inter-bank lending rates were guilty of "abusive, predatory... behaviour", Mr Miliband told the href="http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/" >Times. He told the href="http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/" >Times that Barclays employees who colluded to fix inter-bank lending rates were guilty of "abusive, predatory... behaviour".
He said there should be a banking code of conduct, with bankers "struck off if they do the wrong thing".He said there should be a banking code of conduct, with bankers "struck off if they do the wrong thing".
No 10 says it has not ruled out an inquiry but ministers have said new regulation is already in the pipeline.No 10 says it has not ruled out an inquiry but ministers have said new regulation is already in the pipeline.
Rogue tradersRogue traders
Labour's decision to call for an inquiry comes after the Financial Services Authority and the US Department of Justice ordered Barclays to pay a £290m fine for trying to manipulate a key bank interest rate and revelations that banks mis-sold specialist insurance.Labour's decision to call for an inquiry comes after the Financial Services Authority and the US Department of Justice ordered Barclays to pay a £290m fine for trying to manipulate a key bank interest rate and revelations that banks mis-sold specialist insurance.
Mr Miliband said: "There has been no systematic look at the customs and practices of the banking industry. We've got to have an open, independent inquiry with hearings to find out what's going on in the dark corners of the banks.Mr Miliband said: "There has been no systematic look at the customs and practices of the banking industry. We've got to have an open, independent inquiry with hearings to find out what's going on in the dark corners of the banks.
"Some of it was clearly illegal, but it goes well beyond that. There is a problem with how these people operate. It wasn't just a few rogue traders out of control and no-one knew what they were doing.""Some of it was clearly illegal, but it goes well beyond that. There is a problem with how these people operate. It wasn't just a few rogue traders out of control and no-one knew what they were doing."
Mr Miliband, who is expected to address the issue in a speech to the Fabian Society Annual Conference later, said he hoped the inquiry would be set up with cross-party support and that he hoped for a new code of conduct which was about "probity, honesty, integrity". Mr Miliband, who is expected to address the issue in a speech to the Fabian Society Annual Conference later, said he hoped an inquiry would be set up with cross-party support and that he hoped for a new code of conduct which was about "probity, honesty, integrity".
"This is not a victimless crime. There are real people now paying the price," he added.
BBC political correspondent Gary O'Donoghue said Mr Miliband was "attempting to set the pace" on the issue after a week in which the stock of bankers had fallen to a new low.BBC political correspondent Gary O'Donoghue said Mr Miliband was "attempting to set the pace" on the issue after a week in which the stock of bankers had fallen to a new low.
He added that while Downing Street had not ruled out an inquiry, David Cameron had yet to be convinced one was needed and that ministers had been stressing the measures already in the pipeline.He added that while Downing Street had not ruled out an inquiry, David Cameron had yet to be convinced one was needed and that ministers had been stressing the measures already in the pipeline.
These included the separation of bank investment and retail arms and a new regulatory structure.These included the separation of bank investment and retail arms and a new regulatory structure.
A petition on the government's e-petition website calling for a judicial public inquiry into the wrongdoing and ethics of bankers, with "full powers to compel witnesses to appear on oath, and to obtain all forms of evidence", has received more than 4,500 signatures.
The TUC and some Tory backbenchers have also called for a probe similar to the Leveson Inquiry, which is looking into the practices and ethics of the press, but the Treasury and the Bank of England have rejected the idea.The TUC and some Tory backbenchers have also called for a probe similar to the Leveson Inquiry, which is looking into the practices and ethics of the press, but the Treasury and the Bank of England have rejected the idea.
The TUC's head of economic and social affairs, Nicola Smith, said a "continual stream of mis-selling and mis-investment products" suggested the UK banking culture was about "feathering their own nest".
"Our worry is really not just this individual case that's come up this week, but the fact that for the last few years these practices have just become embedded in part of the culture of the UK banking system."
'Culture change''Culture change'
Business Secretary Vince Cable told BBC News he did not have "any strong objection" to an independent inquiry but added: "I'm not sure how it helps."Business Secretary Vince Cable told BBC News he did not have "any strong objection" to an independent inquiry but added: "I'm not sure how it helps."
Some MPs have called for Barclays' chief executive Bob Diamond to resign and Mr Miliband said: "It is pretty clear that change is required at Barclays and it is very hard to see that led by Bob Diamond."Some MPs have called for Barclays' chief executive Bob Diamond to resign and Mr Miliband said: "It is pretty clear that change is required at Barclays and it is very hard to see that led by Bob Diamond."
Bank of England Governor Sir Mervyn King said Britain's banks needed a "real change in culture" but ruled out a wider inquiry.Bank of England Governor Sir Mervyn King said Britain's banks needed a "real change in culture" but ruled out a wider inquiry.
Mr Cameron supported his comments, saying action on accountability, regulation, transparency and behaviour was what was needed.Mr Cameron supported his comments, saying action on accountability, regulation, transparency and behaviour was what was needed.
He said: "We know what needs to be done, so let's get on and take those actions. He said: "The most important thing people want to see is a really concrete set of actions that will help change the culture.
"The most important thing people want to see is a really concrete set of actions that will help change the culture. "You don't change culture by changing laws and changing regulators alone, but I think if we can do this in a very clear and considered way then we have a chance of getting this right," he said.
"You don't change culture by changing laws and changing regulators alone, but I think if we can do this in a very clear and considered way then we have a chance of getting this right," he added.
'Fundamental dishonesty''Fundamental dishonesty'
Lib Dem backbench Treasury spokesman Stephen Williams backed calls for a Leveson-style inquiry, as did former Conservative chancellor Lord Lamont. Lib Dem backbench Treasury spokesman Stephen Williams backed calls for a Leveson-style inquiry, as did former Conservative Chancellor Lord Lamont.
Mark Garnier, a Tory member of the Treasury Select Committee, said a process in which banks were "pulled over the coals" would address public fears.Mark Garnier, a Tory member of the Treasury Select Committee, said a process in which banks were "pulled over the coals" would address public fears.
He said the levelling of the fine on Barclays was a "game-changing moment" because it showed "fundamental dishonesty and systemic and institutionalised behaviour".He said the levelling of the fine on Barclays was a "game-changing moment" because it showed "fundamental dishonesty and systemic and institutionalised behaviour".
But Treasury Minister Mark Hoban told BBC News there had already been a number of inquiries into the banking sector. But Treasury Minister Mark Hoban told BBC News there had already been a number of inquiries into the banking sector and people wanted "to see action not words".
"What households, taxpayers and businesses want to see is action not words and we're taking the tough action that's needed to get the regulation right and help change the culture of banking in this country," he said.
Should there be a public inquiry into banking? What changes - if any - would you like to see in the banking sector? You can send us your views using the form below.Should there be a public inquiry into banking? What changes - if any - would you like to see in the banking sector? You can send us your views using the form below.