A stunning series of allegations have been levelled at RBS solicitors by the lawyers representing the Natwest Three, the Natwest executives embroiled in the Enron scandal.

According to the Sunday Times, it has been alleged that the law firm acting for RBS, Natwest's parent, had spoken on behalf of key witnesses who were not even aware that they were being 'represented' by the RBS solicitors.

The staggering allegations were made by the lawyers for the Natwest Three, David Bermingham, Giles Darby and Gary Mulgrew, in a motion filed in court. The three executives are facing fraud charges in Houston because of their involvement in the collapse of Enron.

The executives wanted people who worked with them to testify to the court via a video link from the UK. Lawyers for the three wrote to 36 possible witnesses back in January making the request, and sent the request via RBS solicitors Travers Smith.

Travers Smith said it represented all the potential witnesses and that only one was prepared to be contacted.

The Natwest Three hinted that RBS had pressured witnesses to decline the invitation to testify, but have now gone a step further with the filing of a motion.

The document says that some possible witnesses were unaware that they were represented by Travers Smith and had never given permission to RBS lawyers to represent them.

The motion, which is publicly available, provided no evidence that this was the case. RBS and Travers Smith declined to comment to the Sunday Times.

Further reading:

Natwest Three hit back at US authorities

Fastow to detail banks' involvement in Enron