The Indy’s march to the left continues. They have replaced long-standing parliamentary sketchwriter Simon Carr, who had robustly sound views, with left-leaning Donald MacIntyre (pictured wearing glasses), who is being recalled back from Jerusalem. His politics are left-wing to the extent that he was close enough to Mandelson in his Lobby days to write his biography.

Don is the sober more thoughtful father of James MacIntyre and in more politically incorrect times he was once voted the sexiest man in the Lobby by the hackettes – some say Maggie fancied him. MacIntyre may not be quite as acerbic or non-partisan as the much-missed Simon Carr, but given his clout he should be a big enough figure to tell the editor Chris Blackhurst to get lost if he tries any editorial bossing about. Getting rid of Carr means there is one less reason to read the Indy…