Barfly: Lobster shown the Thermi-door

AFTER it was exposed for a £260,000 hospitality junket - complete with lobster platters - at Wimbledon, Royal Bank of Scotland ensured there was plenty of expense spared at the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday evening when its top bosses, Sir Philip Hampton and Stephen Hester, staged a reception for MSPs and third sector organisations.

Not a single Champagne cork was popped - instead guests had to make do with water, apple juice, warm white wine and a glass of red if they could get hold of it.

Xmas comes far too early

SUMMER has barely begun, but Barfly last week received a cruel reminder that Christmas is only six months away.

As the sun beat down, upmarket department store chain Selfridges decided it was time to send out invitations to the launch of "White Christmas 2011", showcasing all of its festive goods and services. But Christmas in July? Seriously?

In the firing line

TIM Roberts, chief US fund manager at Cavendish Asset Management and a current bull in US stocks, was frank about one of the reasons he rates American businesses as investments.

"It's easier to sack people in the US. It makes it easier to manage companies if they are going through difficult times." Brutal.

No compromise for BoE governor

THERE was a bit of a reality check at the Treasury Select Committee last week when MPs were quizzing Sir Mervyn King, governor of the Bank of England (BoE), and his colleagues on their accountability.

Labour MP George Mudie, a self-styled "plain-speaking, plain man", asked King: "When have you altered one action because of what MPs said?"

The governor, below, replied matter of factly: "I sincerely hope there was not one action we took as a result of what you said because it would compromise our independence."