Britain's Serious Fraud Office said Tuesday it had charged Barclays and four former employees, including a chief executive, with "conspiracy to commit fraud" linked to emergency fundraising from Qatar during the financial crisis.

"The Serious Fraud Office has today charged Barclays Plc and four individuals with conspiracy to commit fraud and the provision of unlawful financial assistance" linked to capital raising from Qatar in 2008, the SFO said in a statement, adding that former CEO John Varley was one of those to face court.