Abbey staff member in police inquiry jumped to his death.

Byline: LOUISA NESBITT Business Correspondent

AN EMPLOYEE at Abbey National apparently jumped to his death from a fifth-floor balcony after being questioned in a company investigation, it emerged yesterday.

The man's body was found at the bank's London headquarters after a corporate detective agency was brought in to find out who had compiled an anonymous document sent to managers.

Banking giant Abbey had launched its own investigation after senior managers were sent the report which contained claims of impropriety regarding contracts awarded to third parties.

Managers were warned that, if the allegations were not studied in detail, the report would be passed on to other institutions in the City, sources said.

According to newspaper reports yesterday, the allegations included some of a sexual nature.

The probe was led by the company secretary, who found out that there was no truth to the claims and that contracts had been fairly awarded.

The detective agency was then brought in to establish who had compiled the document and, according to the newspaper, interviewed a man who later fell to his death from the balcony of Abbey's headquarters.

A spokeswoman for the Metropolitan Police confirmed a man's body had been found in Triton Square on the afternoon of July 13, and that he was believed to have committed suicide.

No one was available from the coroner's office to comment on the death yesterday. Abbey would not comment.

The news comes at a time when Abbey is subject of a takeover offer by Spain's Banco Santander Central Hispano (BSCH), valuing it at around pounds 8bn.

Despite continued speculation that a UK rival may step in with a counter-bid, Abbey said last week that it remained committed to the BSCH offer.

The deal, which secured the support of the Abbey board last month, has so far received a lack lustre response from investors, many of whom are said to be reluctant to receive shares in a Spanish company.