This is from page 36 of the FSA Notice on the Barclays LIBOR fixing scam:

Robert Peston has identified the senior individual at Barclays to be Bob Diamond and his interlocutor to be Paul Tucker, deputy governor of the Bank of England. If it turns out that, as Guido suspects, the Old Lady was encouraging Barclays to downplay its LIBOR funding costs to help maintain calm, we have a right old regulatory pickle. The Bank was in all likelihood encouraging Barclays to break the rules for the greater good of the City of London…

Hat-tip: Jim Pickard

Mystery over delay in top-rate tax cut bbc.in/GCSGlI—
Robert Peston (@Peston) March 20, 2012

For self-assessment top-rate tax cut takes effect on April 1 this year – see end of blog. bbc.in/GCSGlI—
Robert Peston (@Peston) March 20, 2012

Of course I meant to say cut in 50p rate of tax applies from April 6 this year (not April 1) for self-assessment—
Robert Peston (@Peston) March 20, 2012

Oh gawd, I am no longer sure about start state for cut in top rate of tax. Apparently its complicated. Pls call me blithering idiot—
Robert Peston (@Peston) March 20, 2012

I meant "start date" of course MT Oh gawd, no longer sure about start state for cut in top rate of tax…Pls call me blithering idiot—
Robert Peston (@Peston) March 20, 2012

The Reithian qualities of Robert Peston have been much remarked upon here. Yesterday evening he gave us the benefit of his contacts and insight into the budget. As you can see above over a two hour period last night on the Twitter he invited us to call him a “blithering idiot”. Peston, you are a  blithering idiot.

We, along with many people in the City and business, just wish he’d shut up. Today is a good day to try CNBC’s coverage or Jeff Randall on Sky…

Given that Robert Peston’s “exclusive” Cable letter was actually in the FT last month, the timing of yesterday’s “leak” looks strange. Most coverage has focused on Cable’s unease about the economy and the government’s lack of a “compelling vision”, but the Beeb and Peston have put the call to break up RBS as the top line.

While one theory is that Cable gave the letter to Peston himself, Guido hears Tom Baldwin was pushing the RBS angle heavily to hacks yesterday evening, so much so that some suspect this was his dog in the fight. Pesto should be more careful when an “exclusive” is dangled in front of his face…