The boss of the 83% state-owned bank was forced to waive the bonus last month following a public outcry and pressure from politicians.
However, in an interview with the Financial Times, Penny Hughes, a non-executive director and chair of RBS’s remuneration committee, said Hester deserved the bonus as he was responsible for the “world’s biggest corporate turnround”.
The bank made pre-tax profits of £2bn in the three months to 30 September, compared to a £1.6bn loss in the same period in 2010.
Hughes said: “It’s very clear what the market rates for various different jobs are.
“We can’t be in a position where we penalise people because RBS is, to an extent, supported by the taxpayer as a consequence of actions from prior management.”
She added prevailing economic conditions should not affect the decision-making on bonuses and, although she will look again at the bank’s pay structure, dismissed any radical reforms.
