Cameron could have intervened but the Treasury's view was that the board of RBS might have walked out so it might be unwise to provoke them, not just for his political and tribal friendships, but for the stability of RBS which is 80 per cent state-owned.
I don't like Cameron and his government, being a Lefty and all, but I have some sympathy with his predicament.
Maybe he and his friends can extend that sympathy to Ed Miliband juggling his own tribal loyalties with the effect on the economy of cutting public sector jobs and services.
Boards of directors holding the country to ransom by threatening to resign is no different to union members going on strike for their interests.
I wonder if it will get reported that way.