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1.72 MB
Extraction Summary
5
People
4
Organizations
1
Locations
3
Events
3
Relationships
9
Quotes
Document Information
Type:
News article / exhibit
File Size:
1.72 MB
Summary
This document is a news article about an email prank on Barclays CEO Jes Staley on May 10, 2017. An anonymous prankster impersonated Barclays Chairman John McFarlane, leading Staley to send effusive and candid replies, which were later verified by the Financial Times. The exchange occurred shortly after Staley was criticized for trying to unmask a whistleblower and references the company's recent AGM.
People (5)
| Name | Role | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Mr Staley (Jes Staley) | CEO of Barclays |
The 60-year-old Barclays boss who was the target of an email prank. He had been previously criticized for an attempt ...
|
| John McFarlane | Chairman of Barclays |
Impersonated by a prankster in an email to Jes Staley. He is dubbed "Mack the Knife" for his habit of ousting chief e...
|
| Prankster | Impersonator/Emailer |
An unnamed individual who impersonated John McFarlane in emails to Jes Staley. Later contacted the Financial Times vi...
|
| Eric Clapton | Legendary Guitarist |
Mentioned by Jes Staley in an email to the prankster as a reference to fearlessness and guitar playing.
|
| Mason-Mahon | Unknown |
Mentioned in the prankster's email as being "as brusque as he is ill informed."
|
Organizations (4)
| Name | Type | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Barclays | ||
| Financial Times (FT) | ||
| House Oversight |
Timeline (3 events)
Prior to May 10, 2017
Jes Staley was heavily criticized for his attempt to unmask a whistleblower.
Jes Staley
Locations (1)
| Location | Context |
|---|---|
Relationships (3)
The document states Staley is the Barclays boss and McFarlane is his chairman. Staley believed he was corresponding with McFarlane.
The prankster sent emails impersonating John McFarlane, to which Jes Staley replied.
The prankster contacted the Financial Times via Twitter to provide information about the email exchange.
Key Quotes (9)
"Surely the fickleminded nature of the angry few will help tie up any loose ends."Source
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Quote #1
"You owe me a large Scotch."Source
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Quote #2
"You are a unique man, Mr McFarlane."Source
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Quote #3
"You came to my defense today with a courage not seen in many people. How do I thank you?"Source
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Quote #4
"You have a sense of what is right, and you have a sense of theatre. You mix humor with grit. Thank you John. Never underestimate my recognition of your support. And my respect for your guile."Source
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Quote #5
"And some day I want to see an ad lib guitar run. You have all the fearlessness of Clapton."Source
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Quote #6
"Thanks for sharing the foxhole."Source
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Quote #7
"I thought I’d see how Jes was relaxing after his AGM."Source
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Quote #8
"Mason-Mahon is as brusque as he is ill informed."Source
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Quote #9
Full Extracted Text
Complete text extracted from the document (1,998 characters)
"Surely the fickleminded nature of the angry few will help tie up any loose ends," the short email concluded. "You owe me a large Scotch."
Mr Staley, who has been heavily criticised for his attempt to unmask a whistleblower, soon replied to the prankster in effusive terms. Presumably thinking he was talking to his chairman, who has been dubbed “Mack the Knife” for his habit of ousting chief executives, Mr Staley said, “You are a unique man, Mr McFarlane”.
“You came to my defense today with a courage not seen in many people. How do I thank you?” Mr Staley wrote. The 60-year-old Barclays boss continued in the same style: “You have a sense of what is right, and you have a sense of theatre. You mix humor with grit. Thank you John. Never underestimate my recognition of your support. And my respect for your guile.”
He had time for yet more praise before he signed off. “And some day I want to see an ad lib guitar run. You have all the fearlessness of Clapton,” said Mr Staley, referencing the legendary guitarist Eric Clapton and his chairman's fondness for playing his guitar in public meetings.
The brief conversation ended with a final email around 11pm. The imposter sent a poem, which began “Worry not of tomorrow's end” and ended “Revel in their bloodied eyes”. The first letter of each line spelled out the word ‘Whistleblower’.
“Thanks for sharing the foxhole,” Mr Staley replied.
The prankster, who contacted the Financial Times via Twitter, told us the email was part of his “battle with Barclays” over a customer issue. “I thought I’d see how Jes was relaxing after his AGM,” he said.
Barclays declined to comment.
The emails, which the FT has verified are genuine, are reproduced below.
—
[Prankster's email]
From: John McFarlane [john.mcfarlane.barclays@gmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, May 10, 2017 08:47 PM GMT Standard Time
To: Staley, Jes: Barclays (LDN)
Subject: The fool doth think he is wise
Sent: Wednesday, May 10, 2017 08:47 PM GMT Standard Time
To: Staley, Jes: Barclays (LDN)
Subject: The fool doth think he is wise
Mason-Mahon is as brusque as he is ill informed.
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