Critics are obviously getting bored with targeting their blame for the financial crisis purely at bankers and their brethren. Accountants are increasingly coming under fire, not least following the references to E&Y in the Anton Valukas’ report on Lehman’s collapse. Lord Myners stuck the boot in at Future of Banking Commission yesterday.

Daily Telegraph: In giving evidence, Lord Myners argued that the role of accountants and auditors in the financial crisis had “not been properly scrutinised”. He told the Commission: “Very few people would say that auditing is delivering to our expectations.” Noting the American investigation into the role of Ernst & Young in the collapse of Lehman Brothers, Lord Myners said “we’re going to open a new chapter” of scutiny of accountants.

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Nothing specific in there so we won’t hold our breath. Oh, other than the suggestion that “every audit committee should appoint a cynical Scot… someone with an element of dourness” to check the ambitions of the board. Nationality undoubtably has nothing to do with it, but if you believe it does… A quick look at some of the key players in government and the banks during the financial crisis makes that a ridiculous idea.