Nunn

However, group chief executive Charlie Nunn told the BBC the issues around motor finance were not comparable to the PPI mis-selling scandal, which cost the bank billions.

Mr Nunn said the provision made to cover potential car finance compensation payments was the bank's "best guess at this stage" and that the bank's overall performance was strong.

The Armed Services Committee’s chairman, Sam Nunn, welcomed him back to the chamber where he had once presided, predicting a swift confirmation.

After the testimony, Nunn asked the FBI to reopen its investigation into Tower and put off the committee vote until the probe was complete.

In the end, Chairman Nunn declared, “I cannot in good conscience vote to put an individual at the top of the chain of command when his history of excessive drinking is such that he would not be selected to command a missile wing, a SAC bomber squadron, or a Trident missile submarine.”