Bank of England policymakers split earlier this month over how much extra money to pour into the recession-bound economy, with Governor Mervyn King voting unsuccessfully for a bigger 75 billion pound boost. The 6-3 vote for a 50 billion pound increase, revealed by minutes to the Aug 5-6 meeting on Wednesday, surprised financial markets which had expected a unanimous decision. News that King had wanted an even bigger expansion of the Bank's quantitative easing programme strengthened investors' expectations that official interest rates would stay at record lows until well into next year. Sterling fell nearly a cent against the dollar and short-dated gilt yields tumbled 10 basis points towards record lows, as investors contrasted the BoE's aggressive easing with that of other central banks which are now looking to wind down unconventional stimulus measures. King was joined by Timothy Besley and newcomer David Miles in voting for the 75 billion pound boost. This marked only the third time he has been outvoted since taking office in July 2003 and the first time he has been outvoted with a dovish stance.