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* FTSE 100 down 0.7%, FTSE 250 down 0.8%
* Sino-U.S. tensions dominate sentiment
* Royal Mail slumps as turnaround behind schedule
Nov 21 (Reuters) - London's FTSE 100 fell further on
Thursday as a standoff between U.S. and China over Hong Kong put
off hopes of an imminent trade deal, while mid-cap Royal Mail
slumped 12% after saying it was behind schedule on its
turnaround plan.
The main index .FTSE shed 0.7% as financial stocks and oil
firms dropped amid a fresh row between the two countries after
U.S. legislation on Hong Kong drew condemnation from Beijing,
casting doubt on progress over the trade deal.
Shares in BAT BATS.L outperformed, however, ahead of a
meeting on vaping guidelines at the White House on Friday.
The mid-cap FTSE 250 .FTMC slid 0.8%, as Royal Mail's
RMG.L plunge more than offset a 6% rise in Direct Line
DLGD.L after Britain's biggest motor insurer laid out a plan
to cut expenses.