Barclay's party

UK is a serious country, that's the reason why people and the press are frankly shocked by this expensive italian party organised by/for Barclay's bankers. In a country like Italy it'll be quite normal... You can make 300.000 pound/year but You cannot buy Your style...


The Sun

Barclays bankers flew to Italy yesterday on an all-expenses paid bash — as the rest of the country was left in the financial meltdown. Bosses from Barclays Wealth are schmoozing with clients on a three-day jaunt believed to be costing more than £500,000. About 320 guests are tonight due to enjoy a lavish banquet at the fabulous Villa Erba, beside Lake Como.

They will tuck into fresh ravioli, beef fillet, dessert, coffee and biscuits, plus fine wines costing hundreds of pounds per case. They will also be treated to an evening of music by Milan’s famous Scala opera house. Guests are understood to be staying at Lake Como’s luxury Villa D’Este hotel. The invitations alone cost £3,000. The jaunt will shock customers who have seen the world plunge into crisis as bankers’ greedy gambles backfire. Even Barclays staff admitted the event “sent out the wrong message” at a time when millions of ordinary Brits were struggling to make ends meet.

One source said: “These client bashes are real luxury affairs — no expense is spared. Given the current climate it’s really got up everyone’s noses that this one is going ahead. “Hard-working Brits face losing their homes, and taxpayers’ cash is being used to bail out the excesses of banks.

“But it seems these bankers don’t care as long as they can sip chianti in Italy. The cost will be huge — talk about feasting while Rome burns.” A spokeswoman for Barclays Wealth claimed Sun readers would not be interested in the trip. She said: “This is an event for bankers and clients. It’s not a story for your readers. “You can’t stop doing business just because of the credit crunch. “This is not jolly people going to dinner, it’s an educational seminar — and it’s more important than ever to keep this kind of thing going in the credit crunch.”

The jaunt comes just days after The Sun revealed how Barclays bankers enjoyed a lavish trip to Monte Carlo.

And it is going ahead despite the tragic death last week of Barclays Wealth chief Frank McGarahan, 45, who was killed as he tried to stop thugs attacking a couple in Norwich. Barclays issued a statement defending the annual conference, saying it was essential to “help clients through the difficult markets”.