"I don't know much about the banking industry, but I know it has been going through a tough time", charity auctioneer and TV presenter Mark Durden-Smith said to a room full of senior bankers last night. "The events of Tuesday were a shock to us all; I know many of you will have upset by the news about Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes' divorce."

Durden-Smith's quip at the expense of Barclays, whose chief executive Bob Diamond stood down on Tuesday amid the fallout from Liborgate, was one of just a handful aimed in the UK bank's direction at a subdued awards dinner. Instead, a number of senior industry figures were at pains to stress the importance of rebuilding trust with the public.