DAVID “Dave” Cameron was spotted in the City the other day, at Merrill Lynch at St Paul’s, fleetingly. His visit has given rise to whispering in political circles because his office is not returning calls on the subject and one website claims he was rushed in and out by security while Merrills staff who spotted him were told to keep quiet.

No comment from the bank. But the truth, as far as I can tell, is that he was honouring a commitment made at a charity auction to have lunch with the highest bidder, who just so happened to be a Merrills equities salesman.

AFTER Barclays announced the closure of all those Woolwich branches the other week, I am told by Halifax that it has approached the bank’s property agents “with a view to possibly buying a number of Woolwich branches around the UK”. Now, heaven forbid that this is a publicity grabbing gesture aimed at cashing in on a rival’s temporary misfortune. So I look forward to reporting how many branches Halifax actually buys.

Rising tide

MY PIECE on Thames Water’s absurd and self-congratulatory ads on how much water it saves — about two thirds, as it happens, the rest gets wasted — sparks a strong response. Yes, we can take it that Thames is currently the country’s most hated company, even among people not reliant on it for water. A reader receives a demand for a higher monthly direct debit, no explanation of course, and instructions that the payment will henceforth be shifted from the 27th to the 2nd of the month.

To the benefit of Thames’s cashflow and not his, then. He rang to complain, and the date was shifted back without query. “Thames Water knew it was trying it on, but hoped its customers would not notice.” Note well.

PARKVIEW International, the Hong Kong property company having such an awful time trying to develop Battersea Power Station — and just how many more obstacles can be put in front of any one project? — has parted company with a potential partner. I hear that talks have ended with aAIM, the property fund headed by Sir David Frost.

Own goal

THERE is a bitter fight going on between Peter Opperman, a self-styled company doctor, and AIM-quoted Fountains, which cuts the grass for local authorities, Network Rail and the like. Opperman was defeated at a vote at the annual meeting this week when he tried to replace Barry Gamble as chairman and chief executive.

His bid failed not least because fund manager Smith & Williamson voted a block of shares held by various clients against him. Perusal of the relevant documents shows, however, that one of those clients was Mr P Opperman.

You actually voted your client’s shares against his own resolution? I ask Smith & Williamson. “Somebody made a mistake.” To err is human, and all that, but I hear that Opperman is “not best pleased” at the slip. And considering a change of fund manager.

Times Recommends

• Lies and cover-up at MG Rover exposed by report
• High oil prices push manufacturing costs up
• Primark founder steps down as chief executive