A mistake that must not be repeated

As I suspected, opinion amongst CoffeeHousers is divided as to whether RBS asking potential clients for their political affiliation is a big deal. A good chunk of you think this is a scandal. Others don’t. Where, they ask, is the story – it was a simple cock-up. RBS misread EU regulations about extending credit to Politically Exposed Persons (ie, overseas ministers who may be ‘vulnerable to corruption’) and ended up asked British clients if they belonged to political parties. RBS have apologised and didn’t mean any harm. And aren’t I being a bit paranoid linking this to the fact that RBS is state controlled – and trying to build this up into a Big Brother story when it clearly is a few call centre drones asking the wrong question?

First, can I be clear: I don’t think RBS was doing this as some evil No10-directed snooping exercise.