"I say, I say .. when is a Prime Minister NOT a Prime Minister?"
To humour him, I gave the usual, expected response: "I don't know. When is a Prime Minister NOT a Prime Minister?"
"When it's David Cameron!" At that, Arturo nearly choked himself laughing!
Actually though, the joke was not that far from the attitude of several of the people around us. They nearly jumped out of their seats, when it was discovered that the one called 'The Wolfman', namely one Neil Wallis, had been advising Andy Coulson about Conservative policy just before the General Election! This neil Wallis's name came up time and again in the morning session with Sir Paul Stephenson and Yates of the Yard.
The Tories were quick to respond - well they would be, wouldn't they? Someone said, on the Tories' behalf:
It has been drawn to our attention that [Wallis] may have provided Andy Coulson with some informal advice on a voluntary basis before the election. We are currently finding out the exact nature of any advice.
We can confirm that apart from Andy Coulson, neither David Cameron nor any senior member of the campaign team were aware of this until this week.
So - this phone hacking scandal is sending out ripples throughout the country! First News of the World, then News International, then the Metropolitan police, then ... reaching Downing Street! Where will it end?
Anyway - more to the point - the first Select Committee session with the senior police officers revealed little that we had not already heard before - except from John Yates. He revealed that he had asked a 'senior official' at No 10 whether he should inform David Cameron (our Boy David) about the phone hacking stories that were breaking. This was in September 2010. The answer was:
On the other matters that have caught your attention this week, assuming we are thinking of the same thing, I am sure you will understand that we will want to be able to be entirely clear, for your sake and ours, that we have not been in contact with you about this subject.
So I don't think it would really be appropriate for the PM, or anyone else at No 10, to discuss this issue with you, and would be grateful if it were not raised please.
So - that's telling him! No wonder Yates of the Yard is rather fed-up (to put it politely) by the fact he has now had to resign!
Then - we had the afternoon sessions with Rupert and James Murdoch followed by the Red-Haired Vamp, Rebekah Brooks, - who looked less like a vamp and more like a lost child - great acting that!
As for the Murdochs - they saw nothing and heard nothing and could therefore say nothing except, that is, 'sorry'. Rupert had the most 'humble' day of his life. James apologised so many times, Arturo and I lost count.
Apart from Tom Watson - the MPs made little impact. Maybe, they were taken in by the apparent frailty of Rupert and the apparent spirited defence by James. I say 'apparent' because Arturo reckoned that he saw a regular gleam in Rupert's eye - when he thought no one was observing him. And, remember James had been coached for days by top PR men and lawyers!
Then! The entrance of the Fool - to throw a shaving foam pie at Rupert Murdoch only to be flattened by the terrific punch from the arm of Wendy Murdoch! Drame became farce became burlesque! Instead of heightening the situation - the tension of the questioning was removed! Everyone gasped in sympathy for Rupert Murdoch and his heroic wife!
The resumed session lost the plot - quite literally. It was a gift for the Murdochs and even for Rebekah Brooks! The British love nothing better than an underdog and by this stupid thoughtless attack - at one stroke - the Murdochs had become victims.
Arturo and I trudged back down Whitehall. We'd had one day of excitement - another one to come tomorrow - when our Boy David faces the Commons. What did he know? When did he know it? Who did he know? And when did he know them?
Arturo slunk back to No 11 for his dinner. Me - I'm going rat hunting tonight!
Bye
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