If you’re being asked to lie, get it in writing

If we take Bob Diamond and Paul Tucker at their word, part of the Libor scandal at Barclays can be chalked up to a series of comic misunderstandings, like a children’s game of telephone.

It’s a bit much to swallow, but the spectacle sure has been fun to watch.

Both men agree that on Oct 29, 2008, while the financial system was on the brink, Tucker, who is the Bank of England’s deputy governor, called Diamond on the phone. Diamond, who resigned last week as Barclays’ chief executive, was head of the company’s investment banking business at the time.