Bank of England’s mixed messages leave markets fearful of another ‘unreliable boyfriend’

Analysis: decision to keep rates on hold is not unpopular but governor's signalling is roundly criticised

It is not compulsory for the Bank of England governor to be an unreliable boyfriend", Andrew Bailey joked during a press conference to explain why the central bank he runs kept interest rates on hold when action of some kind was expected.

As quips go, it fell flat in financial markets, where currency traders sold the pound, knocking more than 1% from sterling's value against the US dollar.