All options open on N.Rock: UK's Darling

LONDON (Reuters) -The British government is considering all options for embattled mortgage lender Northern Rock NRK.L, including nationalization, although a private sale is still the preferred option, finance minister Alistair Darling said on Tuesday.

In a speech to the Royal Society of Arts, Darling said it would be irresponsible not to consider all the options.

"I would like to find a private sector solution but all options, including nationalization, have to be considered," he said, according to the text of his speech.

"We have consistitently made clear that our preferred option is a private sector solution."

Darling was speaking as Northern Rock held an extraordinary meeting for shareholders to discuss the bank's future.