ressure is mounting for the Royal Bank of Scotland to intervene to prevent the impending extradition of three of its employees to the US for trial.

The NatWest Three, as they have been dubbed, are due to leave the UK for the US on July 17th to face fraud charges linked to the collapse of Enron.

The three men – David Bermingham, Giles Darby and Gary Mulgrew – face charges of defrauding NatWest in a deal with Enron, by selling an interest in a company based in the Cayman Islands for less than it was worth.

However, according to correspondence between the Financial Services Authority (FSA) and the Serious Fraud Office (SFO), RBS, the parent company of NatWest, has looked at the transaction and believes that a fair price was paid.

The three, who have always denied any wrongdoing, believe this report could result in the case against them being dismissed.

They are due to be extradited under the 2003 Extradition Act, which was drafted as part of the fight against terrorism.

It is understood that the Chancellor, Gordon Brown, has tried to intervene on the men’s behalf.