What bankers and MPs have in common
'We are profoundly and, I think I would say, unreservedly sorry at the turn of events,' said one. 'We are sorry at the effect it has had on the communities we serve.'
Another commented: 'There is a profound and unqualified apology for all of the distress that has been caused and I would not wish there to be any doubt about that whatsoever.'
And a third added: 'It has affected the communities in which we live and serve; it has clearly affected taxpayers; and we are extremely sorry for the turn of events that has brought it about.'
So which three MPs were prepared to speak so hair-shirtedly about the expenses scandal?
Well it wasn't any of our 'honourable' members. These were comments made to the Treasury select committee earlier in the year by former RBS chairman Sir Tom McKillop, his former chief exec Sir Fred Goodwin and Andy Hornby, former chief executive of HBOS.
But in themselves - and you're probably ahead of me here - the words don't sound so dissimilar to the apologies issued in recent days by messrs Brown, Cameron and Clegg.
It was no wonder the front page of City AM screamed earlier in the week: 'Don't lecture us, says City.'
And therein lies a big problem for the Brown government and Cameron's government in waiting.
The problem of overclaimed expenses - and all the attendant disingenuousness, messenger-shooting and general stench - weakens politicians' hands in all sorts of ways.
When an MP is called upon to condemn perceived City greed in the future will his or her words ring that bit more hollow? When a minister urges public sector workers to accept a depressed pay claim because of the tough financial climate, will it invite allegations of hypocrisy?
Of course it will.
I won't comment on the claims themselves, some of which appear to me completely reasonable while others simply beggar belief. (It's the extremes of the latter that have seen the former questioned). But just as public confidence in the financial system has been fundamentally dented, so it has in politics.
Governance failures, audit failures (internal at least) and ethical failures stretch from Westminster to the Square Mile.
Recovering from this position is a priority for both the City and the Commons. To do so the banking and political classes will have to learn from the other's mistakes. And they may have to work together in ways they never expected.
It's not turning into a vintage year is it?



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