Today’s Daily Mail (no link) contains an excellent example of why, no matter how desperate a Minister is for publicity, there are some interviews that should be refused. Peter Hain’s interview with Petronella Wyatt should be taught in Spin Doctoring 101 as an example of how not to do it.
The appalling results of the decision to speak to Wyatt are not online (and we hope readers don’t buy the Daily Mail) so The Daily has decided to offer highlights through the week.
Today’s gem comes in response to a question on his use of Hillsborough Castle, the Northern Ireland’s Secretary’s stately home:
‘We all play football in the throne room,’ he boasts.
‘Are you trying to be cool and rebellious?’ I ask censoriously.
‘No,’ he says hastily. ‘We have great respect for the throne room — we were very careful. It was a very small football.’
More of that sort of cutting edge chit-chat same time tomorrow.
It all sounds very Prescott…