But it can’t be seen in isolation. In many ways, it is a follow on from the feeding frenzy over Fred Goodwin’s pension. And, of course, that followed the humbling of the US automotive bosses, forced to abandon their private jets in Washington and to travel home ‘coach’ (or was that on a coach?).

 

So the very politicians who expressed outrage over corporate excess, are themselves now in the dock.

 

But this is just the start. What we're seeing is a more generalised public revolt against what Polly Toynbee describes as the ‘feral overclass’. The media have quickly tapped into public disquiet over the behaviour of not just the super rich, but the reasonably well off too.

 

There's clearly a public appetite for targeting this ‘morally reprehensible bunch’ who have lost touch with public expectations of what constitutes good behaviour. And PR people should be advising clients to be aware that it is not about to stop. It will simply find new channels.

 

When the BBC’s Carrie Gracie announced in debate with George Foulkes that she earns £92,000 she clearly expected that her candour would earn her public admiration. It was as if she really expected people to think she’s worth it. No chance.

 

With rising unemployment, repossessions and a general economic malaise, hostility towards high earners will grow and widen. Who will be next up? The pay and expenses of senior civil servants? Charity bosses? Non-executives of FTSE 100 companies? The opportunities are endless.

 

Even after 12 years of New Labour and the Conservatives before that, most of the public have never bought into the idea that there is a class of people who are worth several times what they earn. And that feeling is getting ever more acute as recession bites. Ironically, the Daily Telegraph may have succeeded in advancing this view more successfully in two weeks than Socialist Worker managed over decades.