The Bank of England (BoE) more than doubled its external legal spend in 2013-14 to £5m, the first increase since 2008-09 and the peak of the banking fallout from the financial crisis.

Accounts filed today (17 June) for the year ending 28 February show external legal fees were up from £2m to £5m, set against an increase in combined profit before tax by 69% to £180m.