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1.72 MB
Extraction Summary
5
People
4
Organizations
1
Locations
3
Events
3
Relationships
6
Quotes
Document Information
Type:
News article / report
File Size:
1.72 MB
Summary
This document is a news report detailing an incident on May 10, 2017, where Barclays CEO Jes Staley was duped by an email prankster impersonating Barclays' chairman, John McFarlane. Staley sent effusive praise in response, believing he was communicating with his chairman, shortly after Staley had been criticized for trying to unmask a whistleblower. The exchange, which was verified by the Financial Times, ended with the prankster sending a poem that spelled out the word 'Whistleblower'.
People (5)
| Name | Role | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Jes Staley | Barclays Boss (CEO) |
Recipient of prank emails, he was 60-years-old at the time and had been criticized for attempting to unmask a whistle...
|
| John McFarlane | Barclays Chairman |
Impersonated by an email prankster. He is nicknamed "Mack the Knife" for his habit of ousting chief executives and ha...
|
| Unnamed Prankster | Imposter |
Sent emails to Jes Staley pretending to be John McFarlane. Later contacted the Financial Times via Twitter.
|
| Eric Clapton | Legendary Guitarist |
Mentioned by Jes Staley in an email as a point of comparison for John McFarlane's 'fearlessness'.
|
| Mason-Mahon | Unknown |
Mentioned in the prankster's initial email as being "as brusque as he is ill informed."
|
Organizations (4)
| Name | Type | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Barclays |
The bank at the center of the incident. Jes Staley was its boss and John McFarlane was its chairman.
|
|
| Financial Times (FT) |
News organization that was contacted by the prankster, verified the emails as genuine, and reported on the story.
|
|
|
Social media platform used by the prankster to contact the Financial Times.
|
||
| HOUSE_OVERSIGHT |
Referenced in the document footer (HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_030360), suggesting the document is part of evidence or records fo...
|
Timeline (3 events)
2017-05-10
An email prank where an imposter, posing as Barclays Chairman John McFarlane, engaged in a conversation with Barclays CEO Jes Staley.
Digital (email)
Prior to 2017-05-10
Jes Staley was heavily criticized for an attempt to unmask a whistleblower.
Locations (1)
| Location | Context |
|---|---|
|
Indicated as the location for Jes Staley in the 'To' field of the email: 'Staley, Jes: Barclays (LDN)'.
|
Relationships (3)
Staley is the 'Barclays boss' and the text states McFarlane is his 'chairman'. Staley's effusive praise in the emails indicates a deferential and admiring professional relationship from his perspective.
The prankster impersonated Staley's chairman and engaged him in an email conversation, which Staley believed to be genuine.
The prankster contacted the Financial Times via Twitter to provide the story and the emails.
Key Quotes (6)
"Surely the fickleminded nature of the angry few will help tie up any loose ends... You owe me a large Scotch."Source
— Prankster (as John McFarlane)
(Part of the initial emails from the prankster to Jes Staley.)
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Quote #1
"You are a unique man, Mr McFarlane."Source
— Jes Staley
(Reply to the prankster, whom he believed to be his chairman.)
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Quote #2
"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
— Jes Staley
(Praising the prankster whom he believed to be his chairman.)
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Quote #3
"And some day I want to see an ad lib guitar run. You have all the fearlessness of Clapton."Source
— Jes Staley
(Referencing his chairman's known hobby of playing guitar.)
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Quote #4
"Thanks for sharing the foxhole."Source
— Jes Staley
(Final reply to the prankster after receiving the 'Whistleblower' poem.)
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Quote #5
"I thought I'd see how Jes was relaxing after his AGM."Source
— Prankster (to Financial Times)
(Explaining his motivation for the prank to the Financial Times.)
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Quote #6
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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