Barclays severs ties with Bob Diamond

Barclays bank has opened a charm offensive, hosting an autumn drinks party for assorted hacks at its Mayfair offices. Insiders claim that it’s ‘a very British affair’ at the bank these days, with a new regime at the top following Bob Diamond’s departure.

Indeed, even the more subtle traces of Diamond have been eradicated. It was a no tie affair in Mayfair, which meant that there was not a lime green silk number – Diamond’s trademark – in sight. It was not always so. I hear that, when the former chief executive was in town, ambitious tyros would whip their own lime green neckwear out of the desk drawer in an attempt to impress the big boss. Bob’s tie, which was much commented on during his fatal select committee appearances this summer, apparently represented his world outlook and mantra: ‘LiME – Life Made Easy’. A motto that one can wear, how quaint.