Scots fail to see funny side of bank chief's jibe
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Comedy, like good wine, rarely travels well so when Frank Cicutto, the Australian boss of the Clydesdale Bank, told a gathering of financial analysts in Sydney that they should invest in Yorkshire rather than Scotland he should not have been surprised when nobody laughed.
Instead the chief executive of National Australia Bank, which owns the Clydesdale, was forced yesterday to issue an apology after his comments that Scotland had been in a 200-year recession caused widespread anger.
Mr Cicutto tried to downplay the remarks as being "light-hearted" and "reported out of their original context".
Unfortunately for Mr Cicutto, his address to an audience of banking analysts was recorded on the internet and critics from Scotland who viewed the film said he did not appear to have been joking,
Mr Cicutto, who lived in Glasgow for six years when he was chief executive of Clydesdale, made his remarks when asked why the bank was not pursuing growth opportunities in Scotland. Union officials labelled him arrogant and called for his resignation.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments