David Maddox: Lessons in how to avoid answering questions

If there is one person in the government or British politics as a whole who has a reputation for being able to deal with the press it is Lord Mandelson.
I went to a press conference today which underlined his reputation for having ruthless streak.
The press conference was on a tedious but important announcement on a massive gas pipeline deal from Shetland along with Scottish Secretary Jim Murphy and some representatives of the companies involved.
The two ministers arrived 15 minutes late, allowed for a contract sign photoshoot and then read out the statements provided on the press releases.
At this point Lord Mandelson asked if there were any questions. He took one question on the technicalities which was answered by one of the industry men.
Then Lord Mandelson picked up his papers and along with Mr Murphy literally ran for the door without allowing another question to be asked.
Just to make sure none of the pesky journalists could intercept his lordship on the way out two flunkies were positions to block the media and allow the ministers a free run to the door.
Below may be a picture of Lord Mandelson departing:

Now it may be because only the Scottish press representatives and a few specialist energy industry journalists were there, that he felt he could get away with it, but it was clear that both his Lordship and the normally chatty Scottish Secretary were interested in allowing the press conference to feature any awkward questions and, bizarrely, had planned hasty their getaway prior to the event.

Needless to say the hacks who had given up their lunchtime to wait for the two ministers were less than impressed.

It left you wondering what questions they didn't want to answer.

Feel free to leave suggestions in the comments section, although please note that obscene and defamatory suggestions will be deleted.

David Maddox: Self-certifying politicians

Just come back from the morning Downing Street briefing where the main topic of conversation was cash for access.

This was not the huge sums Labour is demanding for a bus trip with Gordon Brown during the election, but, of course, the Stephen "taxi" Byers, Geoff Hoon et al controversy of asking money from companies to lobby on their behalf.

Byers (pictured right) has apparently boasted that he managed to change legislation, although all will be much clearer this evening when the Channel 4 program making the claims is aired. But this morning it was made clear that the Prime Minister sees no reason for an investigation of any sort.

The reason for this is that the two departments concerned - Transport and Business, Innovation and Skills - run by their Lords Adonis and Mandelson have issued statements saying it is not true.

Which raises the question: What would happen if this principle were to be used in the courts or police investigations?

If it were, all criminals would need to do is say "not true gov" and, whatever the evidence, the courts and constabulary would say "well that's good enough for me, no need to take this further."

Fortunately, our legal systems do not work the same way as our political ones. But this is another example, if one were needed, of the political class operating to different standards than the rest of us.

David Maddox: Shouting the odds on the budget

And here is the latest from our friends at Ladbrokes:
BETTING: Will the second budget be approved by Scottish Parliament? Yes 1/3 No 2/1
Ladbrokes spokesman, Nick Weinberg, said: “There appears to be an appetite for getting things sorted amongst the main Holyrood parties.”
Glad somebody's confident.

Apparently the firm has also seen money for Lord Mandelson (pictured) to be Prime Minister by the end of the year. The Business Secretary is now 66/1, from 100/1, to land the top job, which goes to prove that, even after the lessons of the catastrophic banking collapse, there are still plenty of people out there willing to throw away money.