Although Macfarlanes’ partners are now given a freer rein while hobnobbing in Cannes, it is only relatively recently that they have been let off the leash -ironically under the stewardship of ‘Cap’n’ Bob Sutton.
But intelligence reaches The Diary that under previous management, the Macfarlanes thought-police issued partners with diktats for dealings with clients. This broadly involved waiting for clients to speak, at which point Macfarlanes’ ambassadors were given strict instructions to respond with certain prepared lines.
