Gerri Peev: Cold comfort at G20

Never have I wanted to kiss the ground so much as when I escaped the Excel centre this afternoon.

Sub-zero temperatures, even colder coffee and a media lockdown. Welcome to the G20, in East London, which seems to have its own micro-climate while the rest of the capital is bathed in sunlight.

The press are not allowed beyond the Yellow Zone in the vast aircraft hangar. Red passes are the ones to get your hands on as they mean access all areas - except, of course, the refreshments. One Downing Street staffer donning these supposedly all powerful red passes walked into the yellow area for a coffee only to be told he was not allowed refreshments from there. When he demanded to know who was in charge, a reply came back: "Sharon".

It was grim early on. A press briefing from Douglas Alexander, the International Development Secretary, attracted the sort of mob that would be the envy of Britney Spears. This is how dire the news situation was. Sketch writers sought even asked to sketch a background briefing, pointing out there was **** all going on for colour. They were even barred from the photo call for world leaders.

Looks like the Germans and French are thankfully stirring up enough controversy to make the day worthwhile now, however. Sarkozy should be putting his stacked boot in nicely before the end of the day.