The most shocking aspect of Wednesday’s attack on Sir Fred Goodwin’s home is that nobody seems that shocked by it. Worse, many people would endorse, if not the action itself, then the sentiment of the e-mail claiming responsibility. The gulf between rich bankers and the “unemployed, destitute and homeless” is “a crime”, it says. “Bank bosses should be jailed.”

Many prominent bankers – including Sir Fred – have apologised. A few have tried to atone for their role in the economic crisis. Andy Hornby, late of HBOS, has given up additional pension payments – as Sir Fred, in his own self-interest, should have done.