Secrets of a soon to be missed central banker

First published in the Financial Times, UK edition on 22 May.

Yet another indication, if it were needed, that Gordon Brown would prefer to deal with an independent-minded Bank of England governor than a Frankfurt-based central banker.

Speaking at the Confederation of British Industry dinner on Tuesday night, his scepticism over joining the euro boiled over into gushing affection for Sir Edward George - whom he outed as a secret rebel at European finance meetings.

Said Brown: "I will miss Eddie going to all these European meetings where, side by side with all the no smoking signs in every language, is the ashtray that he managed to bring in."

Brown's affection was further revealed when the chancellor recounted a story of George's efforts to present prizes at a charity raffle.

Asked if he wanted a drink, the outgoing governor helped himself to a bottle of scotch on the table, only to discover it was a 1937 vintage Glenfiddich earmarked as the top prize.

"In true central banker style, he presented the bottle nevertheless and described it as half-full rather than half-empty," recalled Brown fondly. Would Wim Duisenberg ever be able to act with such flexibility?