Darling criticises 'tawdry' treatment of Fred the Shred

Scapegoat

I am no fan of Sir Fred or now Mr Goodwin but this is only because the media has really coloured my judgement. How many peopel actually personally know the man? Most opinions are formed from the good old british culture of "hate the person who has more money than you syndrome" It is bigotry. Goodwin was knighted for doing good things; he made decisions at RBS that went wroing due to a global crisis and not just in his bank. Other banks were the same. Sir Geoffry Archer went to prison for fraud but is still a Knight? What is the difference. Actually Goodwin is not a criminal so where is the justice when a person who has been quite unfortunate in his timing but does nothing illegal is "busted" and a crook is not? Surely he should keep his status as it was given for deeds unconnected with the RBS problem. Perhaps Gordon Brown will come up for a Peerage like his Labour mates in the past - he is more respnsible for the countrys banking problems than one CEO of one bank. How just would that be?

Posted by: dwinsal

For once........

I agree with Alistair Darling but probably not in the same context. I do believe The Shred should not be singled out but should in fact be the first of many to be held responsible for poor decision making, inept governance and ineffective regulation. This should start from the top becasue let's face it they were paid a kings randsom but wre either not up to the job or failed in their duties for which they were rewarded to conduct. Poor Fred Goodwin who did good things but just got his timing wrong, I don't think so. He was a reckless egotistic who is unrepentant. ABN Amro is a manifestation of this. The markets groaned at the prospect but he knew best. By the way dwinsal, at risk of being pedantic, Archer is a peer thus 'Lord' not a knight and thus Sir, and yes his should have been stripped as well.

Posted by: Duncan Carter

Double standards

I agree with dwinsal, on some points such as this man not being a criminal, the criminal part was allowing him to make such vast mistakes without anybody being able to stop him or so it seems,what were the board of directors doing?, there are lots of people with knighthoods who should also have them taken away, this makes a mockery of the system, perhaps it would be better to wait a few years after they have left office, before giving them a gong, in case any skeletons turn up that would save a lot of embarassment, as for the financial crisis I blame the last government for wasting all our tax money on non productive ventures like the BENEFITS Culture, and increased Public sector salaries and gold plated pensions

Posted by: Geoff

agree - disagree

There are many more than Fred involved here. Hector Pants being one. However, Darling told the biggest porky on Sky News this morning when he said that he had warned Goodwin of the potentia disaster!!!!!!!! Porky pies by the x chancellor whislt under his watch - again passing the buck by everyone who is guilty.

Posted by: Incompetent Regulators Award Team