Big NatWest shares sale to the public may be axed

The sale of Government shares in NatWest to the public could be scrapped after the Treasury confirmed that the sell-off had been postponed for the General Election.

‘A retail offer will not happen during the election period,’ a Tresury spokesperson said.

It had been set to take place as early as next month in the largest sell-off to the public since Royal Mail listed on the stock exchange in 2013.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt had lined up M&C Saatchi for a ‘Tell Sid’ advertising campaign.

Sources said a sale would not now take place until the back end of the year as any incoming government would have to review the proposals.

Some have questioned whether it will take place at all, as Labour has refused publicly to back it. NatWest shares are up 40 per cent this year.