Banks drive FTSE to four-month high

Shortly after 2pm, London's leading index was up 1.28%, or 69 points, to 5499 - its highest level since 4 May, with banking and mining stocks leading the upward charge. Barclays, up nearly 6%, leads the winners' board as the banking giant shakes off the negative sentiment surrounding the appointment of Bob Diamond as chief executive. HSBC, too, has made gains as the controversy surrounding news chairman Stephen Green is stepping down to become the government's trade minister subsides. RBS is also amongst the afternoon's top performers with miners, including Vedanta Resources and Xs...