London - A High Court judge attacked the "staggering" incompetence of Lloyd's insurance underwriters and agents yesterday but cleared the organisation of fraud over its dealings with "names" who lost their fortunes on the insurance market.
A rebel group of more than 200 names - individuals who pledge all their wealth to back Lloyd's of London - had refused a settlement, claiming they were not liable for their share of the market's huge losses over insurance cover for asbestosis.