Fresh fears about the Omicron variant, which today claimed its first death in the UK, have sent London markets plunging after what had been a rather directionless morning.
The FTSE 100 ended the day down 0.8 per cent at 7,231.4, while the FTSE 250 closed down 1.2 per cent at 22,647.2, with travel and leisure stocks among the worst hit.
In company news, state-backed NatWest has been fined more than £264million after admitting breaching anti-money laundering regulations.
Bradford jeweller Fowler Oldfield deposited £365million with the bank over a five-year-period, including £264million in cash, some of which was brought into a branch in bin bags.
Elsewhere, Sports Direct owner Frasers announced a fresh round of share buybacks worth up to £70million, while Purplebricks tumbled amid expectations of an impending fine for failings in its communications with tenants about deposit registrations.
>If you are using our app or a third-party site click here to read Business Live
Shareholder activism among listed British firms has soared in the past year
