Royal Bank of Scotland has been referred to British financial regulators over allegations that it deliberately "forced vibrant businesses into financial trouble" so that it could charge them high fees and ultimately seize their assets.

The claims are made by Lawrence Tomlinson, an adviser to British business secretary Vince Cable, who is convinced RBS has driven some of its own customers under so that the bank could take over their properties at knock-down prices.

His report into the practices of RBS will be published today and will fuel suspicions by ministers – including Mr Cable – that the bank’s treatment of business customers may have held back the recovery.

Mr Cable has described the allegations as “very serious” and has referred the report to the financial conduct authority and prudential regulation authority.

Mr Tomlinson wrote the report on RBS’s treatment of its customers at his own initiative, but his views carry considerable weight with the business secretary.

RBS may come under further pressure this week with the expected publication of the final report by Sir Andrew Large into the bank's lending practices. – (Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2013)